Lactam-substituted dicarboxylic acids and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The present application relates to novel lactam-substituted dicarboxylic acid derivatives, processes for their preparation, their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, and their use for producing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular disorders.

The present application relates to novel lactam-substituted dicarboxylic acid derivatives, processes for their preparation, their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, and their use for producing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular disorders.

One of the most important cellular transmission systems in mammalian cells is cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Together with nitric oxide (NO), which is released from the endothelium and transmits hormonal and mechanical signals, it forms the NO/cGMP system. Guanylate cyclases catalyze the biosynthesis of cGMP from guanosine triphosphate (GTP). The representatives of this family disclosed to date can be divided both according to structural features and according to the type of ligands into two groups: the particulate guanylate cyclases which can be stimulated by natriuretic peptides, and the soluble guanylate cyclases which can be stimulated by NO. The soluble guanylate cyclases consist of two subunits and very probably contain one heme per heterodimer, which is part of the regulatory site. The latter is of central importance for the mechanism of activation. NO is able to bind to the iron atom of heme and thus markedly increase the activity of the enzyme. Heme-free preparations cannot, by contrast, be stimulated by NO. Carbon monoxide (CO) is also able to attach to the central iron atom of heme, but the stimulation by CO is distinctly less than that by NO.

Through the production of cGMP and the regulation, resulting therefrom, of phosphodiesterases, ion channels and protein kinases, guanylate cyclase plays a crucial part in various physiological processes, in particular in the relaxation and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, in platelet aggregation and adhesion and in neuronal signal transmission, and in disorders caused by an impairment of the aforementioned processes. Under pathophysiological conditions, the NO/cGMP system may be suppressed, which may lead for example to high blood pressure, platelet activation, increased cellular proliferation, endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, angina pectoris, heart failure, thromboses, stroke and myocardial infarction.

A possible way of treating such disorders which is independent of NO and aims at influencing the cGMP signaling pathway in organisms is a promising approach because of the high efficiency and few side effects which are to be expected.

Compounds, such as organic nitrates, whose effect is based on NO have to date been exclusively used for the therapeutic stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase. NO is produced by bioconversion and activates soluble guanylate cyclase by attaching to the central iron atom of heme. Besides the side effects, the development of tolerance is one of the crucial disadvantages of this mode of treatment.

Some substances which directly stimulate soluble guanylate cyclase, i.e. without previous release of NO, have been described in recent years, such as, for example, 3-(5′-hydroxymethyl-2′-furyl)-1-benzylindazole [YC-1, Wu et al., Blood 84 (1994), 4226; Mülsch et al., Brit. J. Pharmacol. 120 (1997), 681], fatty acids [Goldberg et al., J. Biol. Chem. 252 (1977), 1279], diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate [Pettibone et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol. 116 (1985), 307], isoliquiritigenin [Yu et al., Brit. J. Pharmacol. 114 (1995), 1587] and various substituted pyrazole derivatives (WO 98/16223, WO 98/16507 and WO 98/23619).

The above-described stimulators of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulate the enzyme either directly via the heme group (carbon monoxide, nitric oxide or diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate) by interacting with the iron center of the heme group and a change in conformation which results therefrom and leads to an increase in the enzymic activity [Gerzer et al., FEBS Lett. 132 (1981), 71] or via a heme-dependent mechanism which is independent of NO but leads to a potentiation of the stimulating effect of NO or CO [e.g. YC-1, Hoenicka et al., J. Mol. Med. 77 (1999) 14; or the pyrazole derivatives described in WO 98/16223, WO 98/16507 and WO 98/23619].

It has not been possible to confirm the stimulating effect, asserted in the literature, of isoliquiritigenin and of fatty acids such as, for example, of arachidonic acid, prostaglandin endoperoxides and fatty acid hydroperoxides on soluble guanylate cyclase [cf., for example, Hoenicka et al., J. Mol. Med. 77 (1999), 14].

If the heme group is removed from soluble guanylate cyclase, the enzyme still shows a detectable basal catalytic activity, i.e. cGMP is still produced. The remaining basal catalytic activity of the heme-free enzyme cannot be stimulated by any of the aforementioned known stimulators.

Stimulation of heme-free soluble guanylate cyclase by protoporphyrin IX has been described [Ignarro et al., Adv. Pharmacol. 26 (1994), 35]. However, protoporphyrin IX can be regarded as a mimic of the NO-heme adduct, which is why addition of protoporphyrin 1× to soluble guanylate cyclase ought to lead to production of a structure of the enzyme corresponding to the heme-containing soluble guanylate cyclase which is stimulated by NO. This is also verified by the fact that the stimulating effect of protoporphyrin IX is increased by the NO-independent but heme-dependent stimulator YC-1 described above [Mülsch et al., Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch. Pharmacol. 355, R47].

In contrast to the above-described stimulators of soluble guanylate cyclase, the compounds of the present invention are able to activate both the heme-containing and the heme-free form of soluble guanylate cyclase. Thus, with these novel activators, the enzyme is stimulated via a heme-independent pathway, which is also verified by the facts that the novel activators firstly show no synergistic effect with NO on the heme-containing enzyme, and secondly the effect of these novel activators cannot be blocked by the heme-dependent inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase 1H-1,2,4-oxadiazole-(4,3-a)-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) [Schmidt et al., J. Clin. Invest. 116 (2006), 2552; Stasch et al., Nature Rev. Drug Disc. 5 (2006), 755].

EP 0 341 551-A1 discloses alkenoic acid derivatives as leucotriene antagonists for the treatment of disorders of the circulatory and respiratory systems. WO 01/19355, WO 01/19776, WO 01/19778, WO 01/19780, WO 02/070462 and WO 02/070510 describe dicarboxylic acid and amino dicarboxylic acid derivatives as stimulators of soluble guanylate cyclase for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. However, it has emerged that these compounds have disadvantages in relation to their pharmacokinetic properties, such as, in particular, a low bioavailability and/or an only short duration of action after oral administration.

It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide novel compounds which act as activators of soluble guanylate cyclase but do not have the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art compounds.

This object is achieved by the compounds described in the present invention. These compounds differ structurally in comparison with the compounds of the prior art by a 3-(carboxybenzyl)- or 3-(carboxyphenethyl)-5-phenylpent-4-en-1-ylbenzoic acid core structure combined with a lactam or lactam-like side chain.

The present invention relates specifically to compounds of the general formula (I)

in which

-   A represents a group of the formula

in which

-   -   * represents the point of attachment to group E,     -   R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or phenyl,     -   x represents the number 0, 1 or 2,         -   where if the substituent R⁴ occurs twice, its meanings may             be identical or different, and     -   Y represents the number 2, 3 or 4 ,         -   where a CH₂ group may be replaced by —O— or >N—R^(4A) in             which         -   R^(4A) is hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or phenyl,

-   E represents (C₂-C₆)-alkanediyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenediyl or     (C₂-C₆)-alkynediyl, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by     fluorine,

-   m represents the number 1 or 2,

-   R¹, R² and R³ independently of one another represent a substituent     selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano and nitro,

-   and

-   n, o and p independently of one another each represent the number 0,     1 or 2,     -   where, if R¹, R² or R³ is present more than once, their meanings         may in each case be identical or different,

-   and the salts, solvates and solvates of the salts thereof.

Compounds according to the invention are the compounds of the formula (I) and the salts, solvates and solvates of the salts thereof, the compounds which are encompassed by formula (I) and are of the formulae mentioned hereinafter, and the salts, solvates and solvates of the salts thereof, and the compounds which are encompassed by formula (I) and are mentioned hereinafter as exemplary embodiments, and the salts, solvates and solvates of the salts thereof, insofar as the compounds encompassed by formula (I) and mentioned hereinafter are not already salts, solvates and solvates of the salts.

The compounds according to the invention may, depending on their structure, exist in stereoisomeric forms (enantiomers, diastereomers). The invention therefore relates to the enantiomers or diastereomers and respective mixtures thereof. The stereoisomerically pure constituents can be isolated in a known manner from such mixtures of enantiomers and/or diastereomers.

Where the compounds according to the invention can occur in tautomeric forms, the present invention encompasses all tautomeric forms.

Salts preferred for the purposes of the present invention are physiologically acceptable salts of the compounds according to the invention. However, salts which are themselves unsuitable for pharmaceutical applications but can be used for example for isolating or purifying the compounds according to the invention are also encompassed.

Physiologically acceptable salts of the compounds according to the invention include acid addition salts of mineral acids, carboxylic acids and sulfonic acids, e.g. salts of hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, naphthalenedisulfonic acid, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid and benzoic acid.

Physiologically acceptable salts of the compounds according to the invention also include salts of conventional bases such as, for example and preferably, alkali metal salts (e.g. sodium and potassium salts), alkaline earth metal salts (e.g. calcium and magnesium salts) and ammonium salts derived from ammonia or organic amines having 1 to 16 C atoms, such as, for example and preferably, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, ethyldiisopropylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, dicyclohexylamine, dimethylaminoethanol, procaine, dibenzylamine, N-methyl-morpholine, arginine, lysine, ethylenediamine and N-methylpiperidine.

Solvates refer for the purposes of the invention to those forms of the compounds according to the invention which form a complex in the solid or liquid state through coordination with solvent molecules. Hydrates are a specific form of solvates in which the coordination takes place with water. Solvates preferred in the context of the present invention are hydrates.

The present invention also encompasses prodrugs of the compounds according to the invention. The term “prodrugs” encompasses compounds which themselves may be biologically active or inactive but are converted during their residence time in the body into compounds according to the invention (for example by metabolism or hydrolysis).

In the context of the present invention, the substituents have the following meaning unless otherwise specified:

(C₁-C₆)-Alkyl and (C₁-C₄)-alkyl are in the context of the invention a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having respectively 1 to 6 and 1 to 4 carbon atoms. A straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is preferred. Examples which may be preferably mentioned are: methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, 1-ethylpropyl, n-pentyl and n-hexyl.

(C₂-C₆)-Alkanediyl and (C₂-C₄)-alkanediyl are in the context of the invention a straight-chain or branched divalent alkyl radical having respectively 2 to 6 and 2 to 4 carbon atoms. A straight-chain or branched alkanediyl radical having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is preferred. Examples which may be preferably mentioned are: ethane-1,2-diyl (1,2-ethylene), ethane-1,1-diyl, propane-1,3-diyl (1,3-propylene), propane-1,1-diyl, propane-1,2-diyl, propane-2,2-diyl, butane-1,4-diyl (1,4-butylene), butane-1,2-diyl, butane-1,3-diyl, butane-2,3-diyl, pentane-1,5-diyl (1,5-pentylene), pentane-2,4-diyl, 3-methylpentane-2,4-diyl and hexane-1,6-diyl (1,6-hexylene).

(C₂-C₆)-Alkenediyl and (C₂-C₄)-alkenediyl are in the context of the invention a straight-chain or branched divalent alkenyl radical having respectively 2 to 6 and 2 to 4 carbon atoms and up to 2 double bonds. A straight-chain alkenediyl radical having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and one double bond is preferred. Examples which may be preferably mentioned are: ethene-1,1-diyl, ethene-1,2-diyl, propene-1,1-diyl, propene-1,2-diyl, propene-1,3-diyl, but-1-ene-1,4-diyl, but-1-ene-1,3-diyl, but-2-ene-1,4-diyl, buta-1,3-diene-1,4-diyl, pent-2-ene-1,5-diyl, hex-3-ene-1,6-diyl and hexa-2,4-diene-1,6-diyl.

(C₂-C₆)-Alkynediyl and (C₂-C₄)-alkynediyl are in the context of the invention a straight-chain or branched divalent alkynyl radical having respectively 2 to 6 and 2 to 4 carbon atoms and up to 2 triple bonds. A straight-chain alkynediyl radical having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and one triple bond is preferred. Examples which may be preferably mentioned are: ethyne-1,2-diyl, propyne-1,3-diyl, but-1-yne-1,4-diyl, but-1-yne-1,3-diyl, but-2-yne-1,4-diyl, pent-2-yne-1,5-diyl, pent-2-yne-1,4-diyl and hex-3-yne-1,6-diyl.

(C₁-C₆)-Alkoxy and (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy are in the context of the invention a straight-chain or branched alkoxy radical having respectively 1 to 6 and 1 to 4 carbon atoms. A straight-chain or branched alkoxy radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is preferred. Examples which may be preferably mentioned are: methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, tert-butoxy, n-pentoxy and n-hexoxy.

(C₁-C₄)-Alkoxycarbonyl is in the context of the invention a straight-chain or branched alkoxy radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is attached via a carbonyl group. Examples which may be preferably mentioned are: methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n-propoxycarbonyl, iso-propoxycarbonyl and tert-butoxycarbonyl.

Halogen in the context of the invention includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. Chlorine, fluorine or bromine are preferred, particularly preferably fluorine or chlorine.

If radicals in the compounds according to the invention are substituted, the radicals may, unless otherwise specified, be substituted one or more times. In the context of the present invention, all radicals which occur more than once have a mutually independent meaning. Substitution by one, two or three identical or different substituents is preferred. Substitution by one substituent is very particularly preferred.

If a radical in the compounds according to the invention can be polysubstituted by fluorine, this includes in the context of the present invention a perfluoro substitution.

Preference is given in the context of the present invention to compounds of the formula (I) in which

-   A represents a group of the formula

in which

-   -   * represents the point of attachment to group E,     -   R⁴ represents (C₁-C₄)-alkyl or phenyl,     -   x represents the number 0, 1 or 2,         -   where if the substituent R⁴ occurs twice, its meanings may             be identical or different, and     -   y represents the number 2 or 3,         -   where a CH₂ group may be replaced by —O— or >N—R^(4A) in             which         -   R^(4A) represents (C₁-C₄)-alkyl or phenyl,

-   E represents (C₂-C₆)-alkanediyl or (C₂-C₆)-alkenediyl,

-   m represents the number 1 or 2,

-   R¹ represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of     fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and     trifluoromethoxy,

-   R² and R³ each represent fluorine,

-   and

-   n, o and p independently of one another each represent the number 0     or 1,

-   and the salts, solvates and solvates of the salts thereof.

Particular preference is given in the context of the present invention to compounds of the formula (I-A)

in which

-   A represents a group of the formula

in which

* represents the point of attachment to group E,

-   E represents 1,2-ethylene, 1,3-propylene, 1,4-butylene or     1,5-pentylene, -   m represents the number 1 or 2, -   and     -   R¹ represents hydrogen or fluorine, -   and the salts, solvates and solvates of the salts thereof.

Very particular preference is given in the context of the present invention to compounds of the formula (I-A)

in which

-   A represents a group of the formula

in which

-   -   * represents the point of attachment to group E,

-   E represents 1,2-ethylene, 1,3-propylene or 1,4-butylene,

-   m represents the number 1 or 2,

-   and

-   R¹ represents hydrogen or fluorine,

-   and the salts, solvates and solvates of the salts thereof.

The definitions of radicals indicated specifically in the respective combinations or preferred combinations of radicals are replaced as desired irrespective of the particular combinations indicated for the radicals also by definitions of radicals of other combinations.

Combinations of two or more of the abovementioned preferred ranges are very particularly preferred.

The invention further relates to a process for preparing the compounds of the invention of the formula (I), characterized in that compounds of the formula (II)

in which R², R³, m, o and p each have the meanings given above and

-   T¹ and T² are identical or different and represent     (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, -   are either -   [A] converted in an inert solvent in the presence of a base with a     compound of the formula (III-A)

-   -   in which A, E, R¹ and n each have the meanings given above and     -   L represents phenyl or o-, m- or p-tolyl     -   and     -   X represents halide or tosylate,     -   into compounds of the formula (IV-A)

-   -   in which A, E, R¹, R², R³, m, n, o, p, T¹ and T² each have the         meanings given above, or

-   [B] converted in an inert solvent in the presence of a base with a     compound of the formula (III-B)

-   -   in which R¹, n, L and X each have the meanings given above,     -   initially into compounds of the formula (IV-B)

-   -   in which R¹, R², R³, m, n, o, p, T¹ and T² each have the         meanings given above,     -   and these are then alkylated in an inert solvent in the presence         of a base with a compound of the formula (V)

A-E-Q  (V),

-   -   in which A and E have the meanings given above and     -   Q represents a leaving group, such as, for example, halogen,         tosylate or mesylate, to give compounds of the formula (IV-C)

-   -   in which A, E, R¹, R², R³, m, n, o, p, T¹ and T² each have the         meanings given above, and the resulting compounds of the formula         (IV-A) or (IV-C) are converted by hydrolysis of the ester groups         T¹ and T² into the dicarboxylic acids of the formula (I)         and the compounds of the formula (I) are separated where         appropriate by methods known to the skilled person into their         enantiomers and/or diastereomers, and/or where appropriate         reacted with the appropriate (i) solvents and/or (ii) bases or         acids to give the solvates, salts and/or solvates of the salts         thereof.

Examples of inert solvents for process steps (II)+(III-A)→(IV-A) and (II)+(III-B)→(IV-B) are ethers such as diethyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, glycol dimethyl ether or diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, or hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, pentane, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane or petroleum fractions, or mixtures of these solvents. Preference is given to using a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and hexane.

Suitable bases for these reaction steps are the bases customary for Wittig reactions. These include in particular strong bases such as n-, sec- or tert-butyllithium, lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) or lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide or potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide. Preference is given to n-butyllithium.

The reactions (II)+(III-A)→(IV-A) and (II)+(III-B)→(IV-B) are generally carried out in a temperature range from −78° C. to +20° C., preferably from −20° C. to +10° C.

Any cis/trans mixtures of the compound (IV-A) obtained, if appropriate, in the reaction (II)+(III-A)→(IV-A) may be separated at this stage or at the subsequent stage of the compound (I) by customary methods, for example by chromatography. The reaction (II)+(III-B)→(IV-B) is usually trans-selective.

Examples of inert solvents for process step (IV-B)+(V)→(IV-C) are ethers such as diethyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, glycol dimethyl ether or diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, pentane, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane or petroleum fractions, or other solvents such as acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N′-dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU) or N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). It is also possible to employ mixtures of said solvents. Preference is given to using acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, dioxane or toluene.

Suitable bases for this reaction step are in particular sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate or cesium carbonate, sodium hydride or potassium hydride, lithium diisopropylamide or n-butyllithium. Preference is given to using potassium carbonate, cesium carbonate or sodium hydride.

The reaction (IV-B)+(V)→(IV-C) is generally carried out in a temperature range from +20° C. to +150° C., preferably from +50° C. to +120° C.

Hydrolysis of the ester groups T¹ and T² in process steps (IV-A) (I) and (IV-C) (I) takes place by conventional methods, by treating the esters in inert solvents with acids or bases, and with the latter converting the initially produced salts into the free carboxylic acids by treatment with acid. The ester cleavage in the case of tert-butyl esters preferably takes place with acids.

In the case of two different groups T¹ and T², the hydrolysis may, if appropriate, be carried out in a one-pot reaction or in two separate reaction steps.

Inert solvents suitable for these reactions are water or the organic solvents usual for ester cleavage. These preferably include alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol or tert-butanol, or ethers such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane or glycol dimethyl ether, or other solvents such as acetone, dichloromethane, dimethylformamide or dimethyl sulfoxide. It is also possible to employ mixtures of the solvents mentioned. In the case of a basic ester hydrolysis, preferably mixtures of water with dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, methanol and/or ethanol are employed. In the case of reaction with trifluoroacetic acid, preferably dichloromethane is used, and in the case of reaction with hydrogen chloride, preferably tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, dioxane or water is used.

Suitable bases are the usual inorganic bases. These preferably include alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxides such as, for example, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or barium hydroxide, or alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonates such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate or calcium carbonate. Use is particularly preferably made of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or lithium hydroxide.

Suitable acids for the ester cleavage are generally sulfuric acid, hydrogen chloride/hydrochloric acid, hydrogen bromide/hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid or trifluoromethanesulfonic acid or mixtures thereof, where appropriate with addition of water. Hydrogen chloride or trifluoroacetic acid are preferred in the case of the tert-butyl esters, and hydrochloric acid in the case of the methyl esters.

The ester cleavage generally takes place in a temperature range from 0° C. to +100° C., preferably at +20° C. to +60° C.

The reactions mentioned can be carried out under atmospheric, elevated or reduced pressure (e.g. from 0.5 to 5 bar). They are generally carried out under atmospheric pressure.

The aldehydes of the formula (II) can be prepared analogously to processes known from the literature, for example by a double alkylation of diallyl malonate with compounds of the formulae (VI) and (VII)

-   in which R², R³, m, o, p, T¹ and T² each have the meanings given     above and -   Y¹ and Y² are identical or different and represent a leaving group,     such as, for example, halogen, mesylate or tosylate, -   to give compounds of the formula (VIII)

-   in which R², R³, m, o, p, T¹ and T² each have the meanings given     above, subsequent ester cleavage to give compounds of the formula     (IX)

-   in which R², R³, m, o, p, T¹ and T² each have the meanings given     above, -   and subsequent reduction of the carboxylic acid grouping (see also     Reaction Schemes 1 and 3 below).

The compounds of the formulae (III-A) and (III-B) can be obtained by processes customary in the literature by reacting compounds of the formula (X-A) or (X-B)

-   in which A, E, R¹ and n each have the meanings given above and -   Z represents a leaving group, such as, for example, halogen or     tosylate, or represents hydroxyl,     for example with triphenylphosphine or (in the case of Z═OH)     triphenylphosphine hydrobromide (see also Reaction Scheme 5 below).

The compounds of the formulae (V), (VI), (VII), (X-A) and (X-B) are commercially available, known from the literature or can be prepared analogously to processes known from the literature. The compounds of the formula (X-A) can be obtained, for example, analogously to process step (IV-B)+(V)→(IV-C) by alkylating compounds of the formula (X-B) in which Z represents hydroxyl with a compound of the formula (V) (see Reaction Scheme 5).

Separation of the compounds of the invention into the corresponding enantiomers and/or diastereomers can take place where appropriate, depending on expediency, even at the stage of the compounds (IV-A), (IV-B), (IV-C) or (IX), which are then reacted further in separated form in accordance with the described process sequences. Such a fractionation of the stereoisomers can be carried out by conventional methods known to the skilled person; chromatographic methods or separation via diastereomeric salts are preferably used.

The preparation of the compounds of the invention can be illustrated by the following synthesis schemes:

[Abbreviations: Ac=acetyl; BH₃×THF=borane/tetrahydrofuran complex; Bu=butyl; DMF=dimethylformamide; PCC=pyridinium chlorochromate; Ph=phenyl; Q=leaving group, e.g. halogen; THF=tetrahydrofuran].

The compounds according to the invention have valuable pharmacological properties and can be used for the prevention and treatment of disorders in humans and animals.

The compounds of the present invention exhibit, as particular and surprising feature, advantageous pharmacokinetic properties such as, for example, an increased bioavailability and/or a prolonged duration of action after oral administration.

The compounds according to the invention lead to vasorelaxation, to an inhibition of platelet aggregation and to a reduction in blood pressure, and to an increase in coronary blood flow. These effects are mediated by direct activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and an intracellular increase in cGMP.

The compounds according to the invention can therefore be employed in medicaments for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders such as, for example, for the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure, stable and unstable angina pectoris, pulmonary hypertension, peripheral and cardiac vascular disorders, arrhythmias, for the treatment of thromboembolic disorders and ischemeias such as myocardial infarction, stroke, transistory and ischemic attacks, disturbances of peripheral blood flow, prevention of restenoses as after thrombolysis therapies, percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTAs), percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties (PTCAs), bypass and for the treatment of arteriosclerosis, asthmatic disorders and diseases of the urogenital system such as, for example, prostate hypertrophy, erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, and incontinence, osteoporosis, glaucoma, and gastroparesis.

The compounds according to the invention can additionally be used for the treatment of primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, of microcirculation impairments, claudication, peripheral and autonomic neuropathies, diabetic microangiopathies, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic ulcers on the extremities, CREST syndrome, erythematosis, onychomycosis and rheumatic disorders.

The compounds according to the invention are furthermore suitable for the treatment of respiratory distress syndromes and chronic obstructive airway disorders (COPD), of acute and chronic renal failure and for promoting wound healing.

The compounds described in the present invention also represent active ingredients for controlling central nervous system diseases characterized by disturbances of the NO/cGMP system. They are suitable in particular for improving perception, concentration, learning or memory after cognitive impairments like those occurring in particular in association with situations/diseases/syndromes such as mild cognitive impairment, age-associated learning and memory impairments, age-associated memory losses, vascular dementia, craniocerebral trauma, stroke, dementia occurring after strokes (post stroke dementia), post-traumatic craniocerebral trauma, general concentration impairments, concentration impairments in children with learning and memory problems,

Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, dementia with degeneration of the frontal lobes including Pick's syndrome, Parkinson's disease, progressive nuclear palsy, dementia with corticobasal degeneration, amyolateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, thalamic degeneration, Creutzfeld-Jacob dementia, HIV dementia, schizophrenia with dementia or Korsakoff's psychosis. They are also suitable for the treatment of central nervous system disorders such as states of anxiety, tension and depression, CNS-related sexual dysfunctions and sleep disturbances, and for controlling pathological disturbances of the intake of food, stimulants and addictive substances.

The compounds according to the invention are furthermore also suitable for controlling cerebral blood flow and thus represent effective agents for controlling migraine. They are also suitable for the prophylaxis and control of the sequelae of cerebral infarctions (Apoplexia cerebri) such as stroke, cerebral ischemias and craniocerebral trauma. The compounds according to the invention can likewise be employed for controlling states of pain.

In addition, the compounds according to the invention have an anti-inflammatory effect and can therefore be employed as anti-inflammatory agents.

The present invention further relates to the use of the compounds according to the invention for the treatment and/or prevention of disorders, especially of the aforementioned disorders.

The present invention further relates to the use of the compounds according to the invention for producing a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of disorders, especially of the aforementioned disorders.

The present invention further relates to a method for the treatment and/or prevention of disorders, especially of the aforementioned disorders, by using an effective amount of at least one of the compounds according to the invention.

The compounds according to the invention can be employed alone or, if required, in combination with other active ingredients. The present invention further relates to medicaments comprising at least one of the compounds according to the invention and one or more further active ingredients, in particular for the treatment and/or prevention of the aforementioned disorders. Examples of suitable combination active ingredients which may be preferably mentioned are:

-   -   organic nitrates and NO donors such as, for example, sodium         nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide         dinitrate, molsidomine or SIN-1, and inhaled NO;     -   compounds which inhibit the breakdown of cyclic guanosine         monophosphate (cGMP), such as, for example, inhibitors of         phosphodiesterases (PDE) 1, 2 and/or 5, in particular PDE 5         inhibitors such as sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil;     -   NO-independent but heme-dependent stimulators of guanylate         cyclase, such as, in particular, the compounds described in WO         00/06568, WO 00/06569, WO 02/42301 and WO 03/095451;     -   agents having antithrombotic activity, for example and         preferably from the group of platelet aggregation inhibitors, of         anticoagulants or of profibrinolytic substances;     -   active ingredients which lower blood pressure, for example and         preferably from the group of calcium antagonists, angiotensin         AII antagonists, ACE inhibitors, endothelin antagonists, renin         inhibitors, alpha-receptor blockers, beta-receptor blockers,         mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and of diuretics; and/or     -   active ingredients which modify lipid metabolism, for example         and preferably from the group of thyroid receptor agonists,         cholesterol synthesis inhibitors such as, for example and         preferably, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or squalene synthesis         inhibitors, of ACAT inhibitors, CETP inhibitors, MTP inhibitors,         PPAR-alpha, PPAR-gamma and/or PPAR-delta agonists, cholesterol         absorption inhibitors, lipase inhibitors, polymeric bile acid         adsorbents, bile acid reabsorption inhibitors and         lipoprotein (a) antagonists.

Agents having antithrombotic activity preferably mean compounds from the group of platelet aggregation inhibitors, of anticoagulants or of profibrinolytic substances.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a platelet aggregation inhibitor such as, for example and preferably, aspirin, clopidogrel, ticlopidin or dipyridamole.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a thrombin inhibitor such as, for example and preferably, ximelagatran, melagatran, bivalirudin or clexane.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a GPIIb/IIIa antagonist such as, for example and preferably, tirofiban or abciximab.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a factor Xa inhibitor such as, for example and preferably, BAY 59-7939, DU-176b, fidexaban, razaxaban, fondaparinux, idraparinux, PMD-3112, YM-150, KFA-1982, EMD-503982, MCM-17, MLN-1021, DX 9065a, DPC 906, JTV 803, SSR-126512 or SSR-128428.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with heparin or with a low molecular weight (LMW) heparin derivative.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a vitamin K antagonist such as, for example and preferably, coumarin.

Agents which lower blood pressure preferably mean compounds from the group of calcium antagonists, angiotensin AII antagonists, ACE inhibitors, endothelin antagonists, renin inhibitors, alpha-receptor blockers, beta-receptor blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and of diuretics.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a calcium antagonist such as, for example and preferably, nifedipine, amlodipine, verapamil or diltiazem.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with an alpha-1-receptor blocker such as, for example and preferably, prazosin.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a beta-receptor blocker such as, for example and preferably, propranolol, atenolol, timolol, pindolol, alprenolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, bupranolol, metipranolol, nadolol, mepindolol, carazalol, sotalol, metoprolol, betaxolol, celiprolol, bisoprolol, carteolol, esmolol, labetalol, carvedilol, adaprolol, landiolol, nebivolol, epanolol or bucindolol.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with an angiotensin AII antagonist such as, for example and preferably, losartan, candesartan, valsartan, telmisartan or embursatan.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with an ACE inhibitor such as, for example and preferably, enalapril, captopril, lisinopril, ramipril, delapril, fosinopril, quinopril, perindopril or trandopril.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with an endothelin antagonist such as, for example and preferably, bosentan, darusentan, ambrisentan or sitaxsentan.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a renin inhibitor such as, for example and preferably, aliskiren, SPP-600 or SPP-800.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist such as, for example and preferably, spironolactone or eplerenone.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a diuretic such as, for example and preferably, furosemide.

Agents which modify lipid metabolism preferably mean compounds from the group of CETP inhibitors, thyroid receptor agonists, cholesterol synthesis inhibitors such as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or squalene synthesis inhibitors, of ACAT inhibitors, MTP inhibitors, PPAR-alpha, PPAR-gamma and/or PPAR-delta agonists, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, polymeric bile acid adsorbents, bile acid reabsorption inhibitors, lipase inhibitors and of lipoprotein (a) antagonists.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a CETP inhibitor such as, for example and preferably, torcetrapib (CP-529 414), JJT-705 or CETP vaccine (Avant).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a thyroid receptor agonist such as, for example and preferably, D-thyroxine, 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3), CGS 23425 or axitirome (CGS 26214).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor from the class of statins such as, for example and preferably, lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, cerivastatin or pitavastatin.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a squalene synthesis inhibitor such as, for example and preferably, BMS-188494 or TAK-475.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with an ACAT inhibitor such as, for example and preferably, avasimibe, melinamide, pactimibe, eflucimibe or SMP-797.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with an MTP inhibitor such as, for example and preferably, implitapide, BMS-201038, R-103757 or JTT-130.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a PPAR-gamma agonist such as, for example and preferably, pioglitazone or rosiglitazone.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a PPAR-delta agonist such as, for example and preferably, GW 501516 or BAY 68-5042.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a cholesterol absorption inhibitor such as, for example and preferably, ezetimibe, tiqueside or pamaqueside.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a lipase inhibitor such as, for example and preferably, orlistat.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a polymeric bile acid adsorbent such as, for example and preferably, cholestyramine, colestipol, colesolvam, CholestaGel or colestimide.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a bile acid reabsorption inhibitor such as, for example and preferably, ASBT (=IBAT) inhibitors such as, for example, AZD-7806, S-8921, AK-105, BARI-1741, SC-435 or SC-635.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compounds according to the invention are administered in combination with a lipoprotein (a) antagonist such as, for example and preferably, gemcabene calcium (CI-1027) or nicotinic acid.

The present invention further relates to medicaments which comprise at least one compound according to the invention, normally together with one or more inert, non-toxic, pharmaceutically suitable excipients, and to the use thereof for the aforementioned purposes.

The compounds according to the invention can act systemically and/or locally. For this purpose, they can be administered in a suitable way such as, for example, by the oral, parenteral, pulmonary, nasal, sublingual, lingual, buccal, rectal, dermal, transdermal, conjunctival, otic route or as implant or stent.

The compounds according to the invention can be administered in administration forms suitable for these administration routes.

Suitable for oral administration are administration forms which function according to the prior art and deliver the compounds according to the invention rapidly and/or in modified fashion, and which contain the compounds according to the invention in crystalline and/or amorphized and/or dissolved form, such as, for example, tablets (uncoated or coated tablets, for example having enteric coatings or coatings which are insoluble or dissolve with a delay and control the release of the compound according to the invention), tablets which disintegrate rapidly in the mouth, or films/wafers, films/lyophilisates, capsules (for example hard or soft gelatin capsules), sugar-coated tablets, granules, pellets, powders, emulsions, suspensions, aerosols or solutions.

Parenteral administration can take place with avoidance of an absorption step (e.g. intravenous, intraarterial, intracardiac, intraspinal or intralumbar) or with inclusion of an absorption (e.g. intramuscular, subcutaneous, intracutaneous, percutaneous or intraperitoneal). Administration forms suitable for parenteral administration are, inter alia, preparations for injection and infusion in the form of solutions, suspensions, emulsions, lyophilisates or sterile powders.

Suitable for the other administration routes are, for example, pharmaceutical forms for inhalation (inter alia powder inhalers, nebulizers), nasal drops, solutions or sprays; tablets for lingual, sublingual or buccal administration, films/wafers or capsules, suppositories, preparations for the ears or eyes, vaginal capsules, aqueous suspensions (lotions, shaking mixtures), lipophilic suspensions, ointments, creams, transdermal therapeutic systems (e.g. patches), milk, pastes, foams, dusting powders, implants or stents.

Oral or parenteral administration is preferred, especially oral and intravenous administration.

The compounds according to the invention can be converted into the stated administration forms. This can take place in a manner known per se by mixing with inert, non-toxic, pharmaceutically suitable excipients. These excipients include, inter alia, carriers (for example microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, mannitol), solvents (e.g. liquid polyethylene glycols), emulsifiers and dispersants or wetting agents (for example sodium dodecyl sulfate, polyoxysorbitan oleate), binders (for example polyvinylpyrrolidone), synthetic and natural polymers (for example albumin), stabilizers (e.g. antioxidants such as, for example, ascorbic acid), colorants (e.g. inorganic pigments such as, for example, iron oxides) and masking flavors and/or odors.

It has generally proved advantageous to administer on parenteral administration amounts of about 0.001 to 1 mg/kg, preferably about 0.01 to 0.5 mg/kg, of body weight to achieve effective results, and on oral administration the dosage is about 0.01 to 100 mg/kg, preferably about 0.01 to 20 mg/kg, and very particularly preferably 0.1 to 10 mg/kg, of body weight.

It may nevertheless be necessary where appropriate to deviate from the stated amounts, in particular as a function of the body weight, route of administration, individual response to the active ingredient, nature of the preparation and time or interval over which administration takes place. Thus, it may be sufficient in some cases to make do with less than the aforementioned minimum amount, whereas in other cases the stated upper limit must be exceeded. It may in the event of administration of larger amounts be advisable to divide these into a plurality of individual doses over the day.

The following exemplary embodiments illustrate the invention. The invention is not restricted to the examples.

The percentage data in the following tests and examples are, unless indicated otherwise, percentages by weight; parts are parts by weight. Solvent ratios, dilution ratios and concentration data for the liquid/liquid solutions are in each case based on volume.

A. EXAMPLES Abbreviations

abs. absolute aq. aqueous CI chemical ionization (in MS) DCI direct chemical ionization (in MS) DMF dimethylformamide DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide ee enantiomeric excess EI electron impact ionization (in MS) eq. equivalent(s) ESI electrospray ionization (in MS) Ex. Example GC gas chromatography h hour(s) HPLC high pressure, high performance liquid chromatography LC/MS coupled liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy min minute(s) MS mass spectroscopy NMR nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy R_(f) retention index (in TLC) RT room temperature R_(t) retention time (in HPLC) THF tetrahydrofuran TLC thin-layer chromatography UV ultraviolet spectroscopy v/v volume to volume ratio (of a solution)

LC/MS Methods: Method 1 (LC-MS)

MS instrument type: Micromass ZQ; HPLC instrument type: HP 1100 series; UV DAD; column: Phenomenex Synergi 2μ Hydro-RP Mercury 20 mm×4 mm; mobile phase A: 1 l of water+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid, mobile phase B: 1 l of acetonitrile+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid; gradient: 0.0 min 90%→2.5 min 30%→3.0 min 5%→4.5 min 5% A; flow rate: 0.0 min 1 ml/min→2.5 min/3.0 min/4.5 min 2 ml/min; oven: 50° C.; UV detection: 210 nm.

Method 2 (LC-MS)

MS instrument type: Micromass ZQ; HPLC instrument type: Waters Alliance 2795; column: Phenomenex Synergi 2μ Hydro-RP Mercury 20 mm×4 mm; mobile phase A: 1 l of water+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid, mobile phase B: 1 l of acetonitrile+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid; gradient: 0.0 min 90% A→2.5 min 30% A→3.0 min 5% A→4.5 min 5% A; flow rate 0.0 min 1 ml/min→2.5 min/3.0 min/4.5 min 2 ml/min; oven: 50° C.; UV detection: 210 nm.

Method 3 (LC-MS)

Instrument: Micromass Platform LCZ with HPLC Agilent Series 1100; column: Phenomenex Synergi 2μ Hydro-RP Mercury 20 mm×4 mm; mobile phase A: 1 l of water+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid, mobile phase B: 1 l of acetonitrile+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid; gradient: 0.0 min 90% A→2.5 min 30% A→3.0 min 5% A→4.5 min 5% A; flow rate: 0.0 min 1 ml/min→2.5 min/3.0 min/4.5 min 2 ml/min; oven: 50° C.; UV detection: 210 nm.

Method 4 (LC-MS)

Instrument: Micromass Quattro LCZ with HPLC Agilent Series 1100; column: Phenomenex Synergi 2μ Hydro-RP Mercury 20 mm×4 mm; mobile phase A: 1 l of water+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid, mobile phase B: 1 l of acetonitrile+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid; gradient: 0.0 min 90% A→2.5 min 30% A→3.0 min 5% A→4.5 min 5% A; flow rate: 0.0 min 1 ml/min→2.5 min/3.0 min/4.5 min 2 ml/min; oven: 50° C.; UV detection: 208-400 nm.

Method 5 (LC-MS)

Instrument: Micromass Platform LCZ with HPLC Agilent Series 1100; column: Thermo Hypersil GOLD 3μ 20 mm×4 mm; mobile phase A: 1 l of water+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid, mobile phase B: 1 l of acetonitrile+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid; gradient: 0.0 min 100% A→0.2 min 100%→2.9 min 30% A→3.1 min 10% A→5.5 min 10% A; oven: 50° C.; flow rate: 0.8 ml/min; UV detection: 210 nm.

Method 6 (LC-MS)

MS instrument type: Micromass ZQ; HPLC instrument type: Waters Alliance 2795; column: Merck Chromolith SpeedROD RP-18e 100 mm×4.6 mm; mobile phase A: water+500 μl of 50% formic acid/1, mobile phase B: acetonitrile+500 μl of 50% formic acid/1; gradient: 0.0 min 10% B→7.0 min 95% B→9.0 min 95% B; flow rate: 0.0 min 1.0 ml/min→7.0 min→2.0 ml/min→9.0 min 2.0 ml/min; oven: 35° C.; UV detection: 210 nm.

Method 7 (LC-MS)

MS instrument type: Micromass ZQ; HPLC instrument type: HP 1100 Series; UV DAD; column: Phenomenex Gemini 3μ 30 mm×3.00 mm; mobile phase A: 1 l of water+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid, mobile phase B: 1 l of acetonitrile+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid; gradient: 0.0 min 90% A→2.5 min 30% A→3.0 min 5% A→4.5 min 5% A; flow rate: 0.0 min 1 ml/min→2.5 min/3.0 min/4.5 min 2 ml/min; oven: 50° C.; UV detection: 210 nm.

Method 8 (LC-MS)

Instrument: Micromass Quattro LCZ with HPLC Agilent Series 1100; column: Phenomenex Onyx Monolithic C18, 100 mm×3 mm; mobile phase A: 1 l of water+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid, mobile phase B: 1 l of acetonitrile+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid; gradient: 0.0 min 90% A→2 min 65% A→4.5 min 5% A→6 min 5% A; flow rate: 2 ml/min; oven: 40° C.; UV detection: 208-400 nm.

Method 9 (LC-MS)

MS instrument type: Waters ZQ; HPLC instrument type: Waters Alliance 2795; column: Phenomenex Onyx Monolithic C18, 100 mm×3 mm; mobile phase A: 1 l of water+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid, mobile phase B: 1 l of acetonitrile+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid; gradient: 0.0 min 90% A→2 min 65% A→4.5 min 5% A→6 min 5% A; flow rate: 2 ml/min; oven: 40° C.; UV detection: 210 nm.

Method 10 (LC-MS)

MS instrument type: Micromass ZQ; HPLC instrument type: Waters Alliance 2795; column: Phenomenex Synergi 2.5μ MAX-RP 100A Mercury 20 mm×4 mm; mobile phase A: 1 l of water+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid, mobile phase B: 1 l of acetonitrile+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid; gradient: 0.0 min 90% A→0.1 min 90% A→3.0 min 5% A→4.0 min 5% A→4.01 min 90% A; flow rate: 2 ml/min; oven: 50° C.; UV detection: 210 nm.

Method 11 (LC-MS)

Instrument: Micromass Quattro Premier with Waters UPLC Acquity; column: Thermo Hypersil GOLD 1.9μ 50 mm×1 mm; mobile phase A: 1 l of water+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid, mobile phase B: 1 l of acetonitrile+0.5 ml of 50% formic acid; gradient: 0.0 min 90% A→0.1 min 90% A→1.5 min 10% A→2.2 min 10% A; flow rate: 0.33 ml/min; oven: 50° C.; UV detection: 210 nm.

GC/MS Methods: Method 1 (GC-MS)

Instrument: Micromass GCT, GC6890; column: Restek RTX-35MS, 30 m×250 μm×0.25 μm; constant helium flow: 0.88 ml/min; oven: 60° C.; inlet: 250° C.; gradient: 60° C. (hold for 0.30 min), 50° C./min→120° C., 16° C./min→250° C., 30° C./min→300° C. (hold for 1.7 min).

Method 2 (GC-MS)

Instrument: Micromass GCT, GC6890; column: Restek RTX-35MS, 30 m×250 μm×0.25 μm; constant helium flow: 0.88 ml/min; oven: 60° C.; inlet: 250° C.; gradient: 60° C. (hold for 0.30 min), 50° C./min→120° C., 16° C./min→250° C., 30° C./min→300° C. (hold for 8.7 min).

HPLC Methods: Method 1 (HPLC)

Instrument: HP 1100 with DAD detection; column: Kromasil 100 RP-18, 60 mm×2.1 mm, 3.5 μm; mobile phase A: 5 ml of HClO₄ (70%)/1 of water, mobile phase B: acetonitrile; gradient: 0 min 2% B→0.5 min 2% B→4.5 min 90% B→9 min 90% B→9.2 min 2% B→10 min 2% B; flow rate: 0.75 ml/min; column temperature: 30° C.; UV detection: 210 nm.

Method 2 (HPLC)

Instrument: HP 1100 with DAD detection; column: Kromasil 100 RP-18, 60 mm×2.1 mm, 3.5 μm; mobile phase A: 5 ml of HClO₄ (70%)/l of water, mobile phase B: acetonitrile; gradient: 0 min 2% B→0.5 min 2% B→4.5 min 90% B→15 min 90% B→15.2 min 2% B→16 min 2% B; flow rate: 0.75 ml/min; column temperature: 30° C.; UV detection: 210 nm.

Starting Compounds and Intermediates Example 1A 4-Fluoro-2-(hydroxymethyl)phenol

With exclusion of oxygen, 27.1 g (159.28 mmol) of methyl 5-fluoro-2-hydroxybenzoate are initially charged in 500 ml of dry THF and cooled to 0° C. With cooling, 238 ml (238 mmol) of a 1 M solution of lithium aluminum hydride in THF are then slowly added dropwise, and the mixture is stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour and then at RT overnight. After the reaction has gone to completion, saturated ammonium chloride solution is added, and the mixture is taken up in dichloromethane. The organic phase is separated off and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration, the solvent is removed under reduced pressure. The crude product is purified chromatographically on silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 20:1). This gives 18.0 g (126.6 mmol, 79% of theory) of a colorless solid.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 9.32 (1H, s), 7.06-7.03 (1H, m), 6.86-6.81 (1H, m), 6.74-6.71 (1H, m), 5.09 (1H, t), 4.45 (2H, d).

Example 2A (5-Fluoro-2-hydroxybenzyl)(triphenyl)phosphonium bromide

18.6 g (130.87 mmol) of 4-fluoro-2-(hydroxymethyl)phenol and 42.67 g (124.32 mmol) of triphenylphosphonium hydrobromide in 186 ml of acetonitrile are stirred under reflux for 3 h. After cooling, the precipitate formed is filtered off and dried. This gives 58 g (124 mmol, 100% of theory) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 9.82 (1H, s), 7.95-7.84 (3H, m), 7.79-7.62 (12H, m), 7.02-6.91 (1H, m), 6.75-6.67 (1H, m), 6.66-6.58 (1H, m), 4.90 (2H, d).

Example 3A Methyl 4-(2-iodoethyl)benzoate

70 g (352.4 mmol) of methyl 4-(2-chloroethyl)benzoate [CAS Reg. No. 65787-72-6] and 146.2 g (880.9 mmol) of potassium iodide are suspended in 800 ml of acetonitrile and stirred under reflux for three days. After the reaction has gone to completion, the reaction solution is cooled and filtered, and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The resulting residue is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: petroleum ether/ethyl acetate 30:1→20:1). This gives 101 g (348.3 mmol, 98.8% of theory) of a yellowish oil.

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=2.66 min; m/z=291 (M+H)⁺.

Example 4A Diallyl bis{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]ethyl}malonate

At room temperature, 61.9 g (190.02 mmol) of cesium carbonate are added to a solution of 10 g (54.3 mmol) of diallyl malonate and 47.25 g (purity 80%, 130.3 mmol) of methyl 4-(2-iodoethyl)-benzoate in 100 ml of DMF, and the mixture is then stirred at room temperature overnight. After the reaction has gone to completion, the reaction solution is evaporated to dryness and the residue is taken up in 100 ml of water and 100 ml of diethyl ether. The aqueous phase is extracted five times with diethyl ether, and the combined organic phases are washed with saturated sodium chloride solution and dried over magnesium sulfate. After filtration, the solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the residue is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: petroleum ether/ethyl acetate 10:1→5:1). This gives 22.64 g (44.52 mmol, 82% of theory) of a yellowish oil.

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=3.14 min; m/z=509 (M+H)⁺.

Example 5A 4-[4-(Methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]-2-{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]ethyl}butanoic acid

At room temperature, a solution of 20.48 ml (146.9 mmol) of triethylamine and 4.2 ml (111.29 mmol) of formic acid in 50 ml of dioxane is added to a solution of 22.64 g (44.52 mmol) of diallyl bis{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]ethyl}malonate, 0.82 g (3.12 mmol) of triphenylphosphine and 200 mg of palladium acetate in 250 ml of dioxane. The reaction mixture is then stirred at 100° C. overnight. After the reaction has gone to completion, the reaction solution is cooled and the solvent is removed under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is taken up in water and ethyl acetate. The aqueous phase is extracted three times with ethyl acetate, and the combined organic phases are washed with saturated sodium chloride solution and dried over magnesium sulfate. After filtration, the solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the residue is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 4:1). This gives 10.4 g (27.1 mmol, 61% of theory) of a colorless solid.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 12.30 (1H, s), 7.86 (4H, d), 7.31 (4H, d), 3.84 (6H, s), 2.72-2.56 (4H, m), 2.29-2.18 (1H, m), 1.92-1.69 (4H, m).

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=2.55 min; m/z=385 (M+H)⁺.

Example 6A Dimethyl 4,4′-[3-(hydroxymethyl)pentane-1,5-diyl]dibenzoate

At −10° C., 54.1 ml (54.1 mmol) of a 1 M borane/THF complex solution are added dropwise to a solution of 10.4 g (27.1 mmol) of 4-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]-2-{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenyl]ethyl}butanoic acid in 260 ml of THF. The reaction mixture is then warmed to 0° C. and stirred at this temperature for 4 h. After the reaction has gone to completion, saturated ammonium chloride solution is added, the reaction mixture is diluted with water and ethyl acetate and the aqueous phase is extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over magnesium sulfate and freed from the solvent under reduced pressure. This gives 8.73 g (23.56 mmol, 87% of theory) of a colorless oil.

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=2.62 min; m/z=371 (M+H)⁺.

Example 7A Dimethyl 4,4′-(3-formylpentane-1,5-diyl)dibenzoate

6.1 g (28.3 mmol) of pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) are added to a solution of 8.73 g (23.6 mmol) of dimethyl 4,4′-[3-(hydroxymethyl)pentane-1,5-diyl]dibenzoate in 280 ml of dichloromethane, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 12 h. After the reaction has gone to completion, about 10 g of silica gel are added and the solvent is removed to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 4:1). This gives 7.08 g (19.22 mmol, 81.5% of theory) of a colorless oil.

LC-MS (Method 2): R_(t)=2.61 min; m/z=369 (M+H)⁺.

Example 8A Methyl 4-[(4E)-5-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl}ethyl]pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate

At 0° C., 2.95 ml (7.39 mmol) of a 2.5 M solution of n-butyllithium in hexane are slowly added dropwise to a solution of 1479 mg (3.2 mmol) of (5-fluoro-2-hydroxybenzyl)(triphenyl)phosphonium bromide in 40 ml of THF. The reaction mixture is stirred at this temperature for 45 min. At 0° C., 1080 mg (2.64 mmol) of dimethyl 4,4′-(3-formylpentane-1,5-diyl)dibenzoate in 10 ml of THF are metered in slowly. The reaction solution is stirred at 0° C. for 5 h, saturated ammonium chloride solution is then added and the mixture is diluted with water and ethyl acetate. The organic phase is separated off and the aqueous phase is extracted two more times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate and filtered, and the solvent is removed to dryness. The crude product obtained is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 4:1). This gives 529 mg (1.11 mmol, 42% of theory) of a colorless oil.

LC-MS (Method 2): R_(t)=3.01 min; m/z=477 (M+H)⁺.

Example 9A Methyl 4-[(4E)-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl}ethyl]pent-4-en-1-yl]-benzoate

At 0° C., 2.95 ml (7.39 mmol) of a 2.5 M solution of n-butyllithium in hexane are slowly added dropwise to a solution of 1422 mg (3.2 mmol) of (2-hydroxybenzyl)(triphenyl)phosphonium bromide in 40 ml of THF. The reaction mixture is stirred at this temperature for 45 min. At 0° C., 1080 mg (2.64 mmol) of dimethyl 4,4′-(3-formylpentane-1,5-diyl)dibenzoate in 10 ml of THF are then metered in slowly. The reaction solution is stirred at 0° C. for 5 h, saturated ammonium chloride solution is then added and the mixture is diluted with water and ethyl acetate. The organic phase is separated off and the aqueous phase is extracted two more times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate and filtered, and the solvent is removed to dryness. The crude product obtained is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 4:1). This gives 169 mg (0.37 mmol, 14% of theory) of a colorless oil.

LC-MS (Method 2): R_(t)=3.02 min; m/z=459 (M+H)⁺.

Example 10A Diallyl 2-(4-methoxycarbonylbenzyl)malonate

At 0° C., 14.42 g (0.36 mol) of sodium hydride are added a little at a time (caution: evolution of hydrogen) to a solution of 56.7 g (0.3 mol) of diallyl malonate in 375 ml of dioxane and 75 ml of THF. After warming to room temperature, the mixture is stirred at 40° C. for 1 h. 111.88 g (0.6 mol) of methyl 4-chloromethylbenzoate, dissolved in 375 ml of dioxane, are then slowly added dropwise at 40° C., and the reaction solution is then stirred at 110° C. (bath temperature) overnight. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture is added to 1200 ml of water. Here, it has to be made sure that the pH<7 (if required, a few ml of 1 M hydrochloric acid are metered in to about pH 2). The mixture is then extracted three times with ethyl acetate, and the combined organic phases are washed with saturated sodium chloride solution and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration, the solvent is removed to dryness under reduced pressure. The crude product obtained is purified by flash chromatography on 3 kg of silica gel (mobile phase: petroleum ether/ethyl acetate 10:1). This gives 85.4 g (0.26 mol, 85% of theory) of a colorless solid.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 7.96 (2H, d), 7.29 (2H, d), 5.91-5.74 (2H, m), 5.32-5.17 (4H, m), 4.59 (4H, d), 3.93 (3H, s), 3.74 (1H, t), 3.31 (2H, d).

MS (DCI, NH₃): m/z=349 (M+NH₄)⁺.

Example 11A Diallyl 2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-2-{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl}ethyl]malonate

At room temperature, 62.66 g (192 mmol) of cesium carbonate and 46.75 g (154 mmol) of methyl 4-(2-bromoethyl)benzoate [CAS Reg. No. 136333-97-6] are added to a solution of 42.61 g (128 mmol) of diallyl 2-(4-methoxycarbonylbenzyl)malonate in 450 ml of DMF. The mixture is then stirred at room temperature overnight. After the reaction has gone to completion, the reaction solution is evaporated to dryness, and the residue is taken up in water and extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are then washed with saturated sodium chloride solution and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration, the solvent is removed to dryness under reduced pressure. The crude product obtained is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 13:1). This gives 41.35 g (83.6 mmol, 65% of theory) of a colorless solid.

LC-MS (Method 2): R_(t)=2.92 min; m/z=495 (M+H)⁺.

Example 12A 2-[4-(Methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-4-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]butanoic acid

At room temperature, a solution of 37.2 ml (267 mmol) of triethylamine and 7.6 ml (202 mmol) of formic acid in 100 ml of dioxane is added to a solution of 40 g (80.9 mmol) of diallyl 2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-2-{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]ethyl}malonate, 1.49 g (5.67 mmol) of triphenylphosphine and 363 mg of palladium acetate in 500 ml of dioxane. The reaction mixture is then stirred at 110° C. overnight. After the reaction has gone to completion, the reaction solution is cooled and the solvent is removed under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 4:1). This gives 20.98 g (56.6 mmol, 70% of theory) of a colorless solid.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 12.32 (1H, s), 7.91-7.82 (4H, m), 7.37-7.27 (4H, m), 3.83 (6H, s), 2.99-2.81 (2H, m), 2.77-2.56 (3H, m), 1.92-1.67 (2H, m).

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=2.45 min; m/z=371 (M+H)⁺.

Example 13A Dimethyl 4,4′-[2-(hydroxymethyl)butane-1,4-diyl]dibenzoate

At −10° C., 112.8 ml (112.8 mmol) of a 1 M borane/THF complex solution are added dropwise to a solution of 20.9 g (56.4 mmol) of 2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-4-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenyl]butanoic acid in 600 ml of THF. The reaction mixture is then warmed to 0° C. and stirred at this temperature for 4 h. After the reaction has gone to completion, saturated ammonium chloride solution is added, the reaction mixture is diluted with water and ethyl acetate, the phases are separated and the aqueous phase is re-extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate and, after filtration, freed from the solvent under reduced pressure. This gives 20.11 g (purity 94%, 100% of theory) of a colorless solid.

LC-MS (Method 2): R_(t)=2.27 min; m/z=357 (M+H)⁺.

Example 14A Dimethyl 4,4′-(2-formylbutane-1,4-diyl)dibenzoate

13.07 g (60.6 mmol) of pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) are added to a solution of 18.02 g (50.5 mmol) of dimethyl 4,4′-[2-(hydroxymethyl)butane-1,4-diyl]dibenzoate in 350 ml of dichloromethane, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. After the reaction has gone to completion, about 60 g of silica gel are added and the solvent is removed to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 5:1→4:1). This gives 14.73 g (41.46 mmol, 82% of theory) of a colorless oil.

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=2.61 min; m/z=355 (M+H)⁺.

Example 15A Methyl 4-{(4E)-5-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}-benzoate

At 0° C., 21.65 ml (54.12 mmol) of a 2.5 M solution of n-butyllithium in hexane are slowly added dropwise to a solution of 10.84 g (23.2 mmol) of (5-fluoro-2-hydroxybenzyl)(triphenyl)-phosphonium bromide in 150 ml of THF, and the mixture is stirred at this temperature for 45 min. At this temperature, 6.85 g (19.33 mmol) of dimethyl 4,4′-(2-formylbutane-1,4-diyl)dibenzoate in 100 ml of THF are then metered in slowly. The reaction solution is stirred at 0° C. for 3 h, saturated ammonium chloride solution is then added, the mixture is diluted with water and ethyl acetate, the organic phase is separated off and the aqueous phase is re-extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate and filtered, and the solvent is removed to dryness. The crude product obtained is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 4:1). This gives 8.21 g (17.75 mmol, 76% of theory) of a yellowish oil.

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=3.14 min; m/z=463 (M+H)⁺.

Example 16A Methyl 4-[(4E)-5-{5-fluoro-2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]phenyl}-3-{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]ethyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate

146 mg (0.91 mmol) of 1-(3-chloropropyl)pyrrolidin-2-one [CAS Reg. No. 91152-30-6] and 295 mg (0.91 mmol) of anhydrous cesium carbonate are added to a solution of 215 mg (0.45 mmol) of methyl 4-[(4E)-5-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]ethyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate in 5 ml of dry DMF, and the mixture is then stirred at 60° C. for 12 h. The mixture is then filtered, and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. The residue is purified by preparative HPLC. This gives 165 mg (purity 93%, 0.25 mmol, 56% of theory) of a colorless oil.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 7.85 (4H, d), 7.32 (5H, d), 7.06-6.93 (2H, m), 6.59 (1H, d), 6.27-6.15 (1H, m), 3.97 (2H, t), 3.82 (6H, s), 3.39-3.32 (4H, m), 2.75-2.55 (4H, m), 2.22-2.08 (3H, m), 1.98-1.62 (8H, m).

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=3.15 min; m/z=602 (M+H)⁺.

Example 17A Methyl 4-[(4E)-3-{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]ethyl}-5-{2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]-phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate

119 mg (0.74 mmol) of 1-(3-chloropropyl)pyrrolidin-2-one [CAS Reg. No. 91152-30-6] and 240 mg (0.74 mmol) of anhydrous cesium carbonate are added to a solution of 169 mg (0.37 mmol) of methyl 4-[(4E)-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]ethyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate in 2.5 ml of dry DMF, and the mixture is then stirred at 60° C. for 12 h. The mixture is then filtered, and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. The residue is purified by preparative HPLC. This gives 169 mg (purity 94%, 0.27 mmol, 74% of theory) of a colorless oil.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 7.85 (4H, d), 7.48 (1H, d), 7.32 (4H, d), 7.20 (1H, t), 6.97 (1H, d), 6.91 (1H, t), 6.62 (1H, d), 6.18-6.06 (1H, m), 3.99 (2H, t), 3.84 (6H, s), 3.36 (2H, t), 3.29 (2H, t), 2.76-2.55 (4H, m), 2.21-2.07 (3H, m), 1.99-1.74 (6H, m), 1.74-1.61 (2H, m).

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=3.28 min; m/z=584 (M+H)⁺.

Example 18A Methyl 4-{(4E)-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate)

At 0° C., 21.65 ml (54.1 mmol) of a 2.5 M solution of n-butyllithium in hexane are added slowly to a solution of 10.42 g (23.2 mmol) of (2-hydroxybenzyl)(triphenyl)phosphonium bromide in 150 ml of anhydrous THF. At this temperature, 6.85 g (19.3 mmol) of dimethyl 4,4′-(2-formylbutane-1,4-diyl)dibenzoate, dissolved in 50 ml of THF, are metered in slowly, and the mixture is stirred for 3 h. A little water is then added, and the reaction solution is evaporated to dryness. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with water and saturated sodium chloride solution and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration, the solvent is evaporated to dryness and the crude product obtained is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 4:1). This gives 7.54 g (16.96 mmol, 73% of theory) of a colorless solid.

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=3.15 min; m/z=445 (M+H)⁺.

7.24 g (16.3 mmol) of the racemic methyl 4-{(4E)-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[4-(methoxy-carbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate obtained in this manner are separated further by preparative HPLC on a chiral phase. This gives, in each case enantiomerically pure, 3.29 g and 3.03 g, respectively, of the two E isomers as colorless solids (see Examples 19A and 20A).

Example 19A Methyl 4-{(4E)-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (enantiomer 1) Method for the Separation of Enantiomers:

Column: Daicel Chiralpak AD-H 250 mm×20 mm; mobile phase: isohexane/isopropanol 65:35 (v/v); flow rate: 15 ml/min; UV detection: 220 nm; temperature: 30° C.

R_(t) 9.07 min; purity>99%; >99% ee

Yield: 3.29 g

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 9.44 (1H, s), 7.85 (4H, t), 7.31 (5H, d), 7.01 (1H, t), 6.78 (1H, d), 6.74 (1H, t), 6.46 (1H, d), 6.12-6.02 (1H, m), 3.83 (3H, s), 3.81 (3H, s), 2.92-2.82 (1H, m), 2.81-2.68 (2H, m), 2.68-2.56 (1H, m), 2.55-2.44 (1H, m), 1.84-1.73 (1H, m), 1.73-1.61 (1H, m).

LC-MS (Method 2): R_(t)=2.88 min; MS (ESIpos): m/z=445 (M+H)⁺.

Example 20A Methyl 4-{(4E)-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (enantiomer 2) Method for the Separation of Enantiomers: see Example 19A.

R_(t) 10.29 min; purity>99%; >99% ee

Yield: 3.03 g

¹H-NMR and LC-MS: see Example 19A.

Example 21A Methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (enantiomer 1)

2.33 g (14.4 mmol) of 1-(3-chloropropyl)pyrrolidin-2-one [CAS Reg. No. 91152-30-6] and 4.69 g (14.4 mmol) of anhydrous cesium carbonate are added to a solution of 3.2 g (7.2 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (enantiomer 1, Example 19A) in 50 ml of dry dioxane, and the mixture is then stirred at 60° C. for 12 h. The mixture is then filtered, and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. The crude product obtained is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 10:1→2:1→1:1). This gives 2.98 g (5.23 mmol, 72% of theory) of a colorless oil.

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=3.03 min; m/z=570 (M+H)⁺.

Example 22A Methyl 4-{(4E)-5-[2-(3-bromopropoxy)phenyl]-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (enantiomer 1)

1.69 g (8.37 mmol) of 1,3-dibromopropane, 180 mg (0.56 mmol) of tetrabutylammonium bromide and 3.85 g (27.9 mmol) of anhydrous potassium carbonate are added to a solution of 1.24 g (2.79 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (enantiomer 1, Example 19A) in 23 ml of dry toluene, and the mixture is then stirred at 110° C. for 24 h. Another 1.69 g (8.37 mmol) of 1,3-dibromopropane are then added, and the mixture is stirred at 110° C. for a further 24 h. The mixture is then filtered through kieselguhr, and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. The crude product obtained is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: dichloromethane). This gives 0.650 g (1.15 mmol, 41.2% of theory) of a colorless oil.

LC-MS (Method 9): R_(t)=4.75 min; m/z=565 (M+H)⁺.

Example 23A Methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[3-(3-oxomorpholin-4-yl)propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (enantiomer 1)

A solution of 0.175 g (1.73 mmol) of morpholin-3-one [CAS Reg. No. 109-11-5] is initially charged in 6 ml of dry DMF, and 71 mg (1.78 mmol) of sodium hydride (60% in paraffin oil) are added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 45 min. The reaction solution is then cooled to 0° C., and a solution of 0.28 g (0.495 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-[2-(3-bromopropoxy)phenyl]-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (Example 22A) in 3 ml of dry DMF is added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction solution is then carefully poured into 50 ml of ice-cold 10% strength ammonium chloride solution. The mixture is extracted twice with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. This gives 0.29 g (0.495 mmol, 100% of theory) of a colorless oil which is reacted without further purification.

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=3.15 min; m/z=586 (M+H)⁺.

Example 24A Methyl 4-{(4E)-5-[2-(3-bromopropoxy)phenyl]-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate)

0.27 g (1.35 mmol) of 1,3-dibromopropane, 29 mg (0.089 mmol) of tetrabutylammonium bromide and 0.62 g (4.5 mmol) of anhydrous potassium carbonate are added to a solution of 0.2 g (0.45 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate, Example 18A) in 4 ml of dry toluene, and the mixture is then stirred at 110° C. for a further 24 h. Another 0.27 g (1.35 mmol) of 1,3-dibromopropane are then added, and the mixture is stirred at 110° C. for a further 24 h. The mixture is then filtered through kieselguhr, and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. The crude product obtained is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: dichloromethane). This gives 0.155 g (0.274 mmol, 60.9% of theory) of a colorless oil.

LC-MS (Method 2): R_(t)=5.64 min; m/z=565 (M+H)⁺.

Example 25A Methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[3-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (racemate)

A solution of 0.124 g (1.42 mmol) of 1,3-oxazolidin-2-one is initially charged in 3.5 ml of dry DMF, and 58.6 mg (1.46 mmol) of sodium hydride (60% in paraffin oil) are added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 45 min. The reaction solution is then cooled to 0° C., and a solution of 230 mg (0.407 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-[2-(3-bromopropoxy)phenyl]-3-[4-(methoxy-carbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (Example 24A) in 3 ml of dry DMF is added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction solution is then carefully poured into 50 ml of ice-cold 10% strength ammonium chloride solution. The mixture is extracted twice with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. This gives 0.13 g (0.227 mmol, 55.9% of theory) of a colorless oil.

LC-MS (Method 2): R_(t)=2.94 min; m/z=572 (M+H)⁺.

130 mg (0.227 mmol) of the racemic methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[3-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate obtained in this manner are separated further by preparative HPLC on a chiral phase. This gives, enantiomerically pure, in each case 35 mg of the two E isomers as colorless solids (see Examples 26A and 27A).

Example 26A Methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[3-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (enantiomer 1) Method for the Separation of Enantiomers:

Column: Daicel Chiralpak AD-H 250 mm×20 mm; mobile phase: isohexane (with 1% water and 0.2% acetic acid)/isopropanol 70:30 (v/v); flow rate: 15 ml/min; UV detection: 220 nm; temperature: 25° C.

R_(t) 7.31 min; purity 98%; >98.5% ee

Yield: 35 mg.

Example 27A Methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[3-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (enantiomer 2) Method for the Separation of Enantiomers: see Example 26A.

R_(t) 8.29 min; purity 98%; >98.5% ee

Yield: 35 mg.

Example 28A Methyl 4-{(4E)-5-{5-fluoro-2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]phenyl}-3-[4-(methoxy-carbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate)

0.10 g (0.622 mmol) of 1-(3-chloropropyl)pyrrolidin-2-one [CAS Reg. No. 91152-30-6] and 0.338 g (1.04 mmol) of anhydrous cesium carbonate are added to a solution of 0.3 g (0.52 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}-benzoate (racemate) in 10 ml of dry dioxane/isopropanol (2:1 v/v), and the mixture is then stirred at 60° C. for 18 h. The mixture is then filtered, and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. The crude product obtained is purified by preparative HPLC. This gives 0.13 g (0.22 mmol, 42.7% of theory) of a colorless oil.

60 mg (0.102 mmol) of the racemic methyl 4-{(4E)-5-{5-fluoro-2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-propoxy]phenyl}-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate obtained in this manner are separated further by preparative HPLC on a chiral phase. This gives, in each case enantiomerically pure, 12.0 mg and 10.0 mg, respectively, of the two E isomers as colorless solids (see Examples 29A and 30A).

Example 29A Methyl 4-{(4E)-5-{5-fluoro-2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]phenyl}-3-[4-(methoxy-carbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (enantiomer 1) Method for the Separation of Enantiomers:

Column: Daicel Chiralpak AD-H 250 mm×20 mm; mobile phase: isohexane/isopropanol 55:45 (v/v); flow rate: 15 ml/min; UV detection: 220 nm; temperature: 35° C.

R_(t) 10.31 min; purity>98%; >98.0% ee

Yield: 12 mg.

Example 30A Methyl 4-{(4E)-5-{5-fluoro-2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]phenyl}-3-[4-(methoxy-carbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (enantiomer 2) Method for the Separation of Enantiomers: see Example 29A.

R_(t) 10.93 min; purity>98%; >98.0% ee

Yield: 10 mg.

Example 31A Methyl 4-{(4E)-5-[2-(4-chlorobutoxy)phenyl]-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate)

1.54 g (9.0 mmol) of 1-bromo-4-chlorobutane [CAS Reg. No. 6940-78-9] and 7.33 g (22.5 mmol) of anhydrous cesium carbonate are added to a solution of 1.0 g (2.25 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate; Example 18A) in 15 ml of dry toluene, and the mixture is then stirred at 60° C. for 18 h. The mixture is then filtered, and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. The crude product obtained is taken up in ethyl acetate and washed twice with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, and the organic phase dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The crude product is then purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: dichloromethane). This gives 0.850 g (1.59 mmol, 70.6% of theory) of a colorless oil.

LC-MS (Method 1): R_(t)=3.37 min; m/z=535 (M+H)⁺.

Example 32A Methyl 4-{(4E)-5-{2-[(5-chloropentyl)oxy]phenyl}-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate)

1.84 g (9.9 mmol) of 1-bromo-5-chloropentane [CAS Reg. No. 586-78-7] and 6.45 g (19.8 mmol) of anhydrous cesium carbonate are added to a solution of 1.1 g (2.47 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate; Example 18A) in 16.5 ml of dry toluene, and the mixture is then stirred at 60° C. for 18 h. The mixture is then filtered, and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. The crude product obtained is taken up in ethyl acetate and washed twice with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, and the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The crude product is then purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (mobile phase: dichloromethane). This gives 1.00 g (1.82 mmol, 73.6% of theory) of a colorless oil.

LC-MS (Method 10): R_(t)=3.08 min; m/z=549 (M+H)⁺.

Example 33A Methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-(2-{[5-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)pentyl]oxy}-phenyl)pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (racemate)

A solution of 16.7 mg (0.19 mmol) of 2-oxazolidinone [CAS Reg. No. 497-25-6] is initially charged in 1.0 ml of dry DMF, and 7.9 mg (0.196 mmol) of sodium hydride (60% in paraffin oil) are added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 45 min. The reaction solution is then cooled to 0° C. and a solution of 30 mg (0.055 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-{2-[(5-chloropentyl)oxy]phenyl}-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate; Example 32A) in 0.5 ml of dry DMF is added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h. The reaction solution is then carefully poured into 5 ml of ice-cold 10% strength ammonium chloride solution. The mixture is extracted twice with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. This gives 25 mg (0.042 mmol, 76% of theory) of a colorless oil which is reacted without further purification.

LC-MS (Method 11): R_(t)=1.62 min; m/z=600 (M+H)⁺.

Example 34A Methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-(2-{[5-(2-methyl-3-oxomorpholin-4-yl)pentyl]-oxy}phenyl)pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (diastereomer mixture)

A solution of 66 mg (0.57 mmol) of 2-methylmorpholin-3-one [CAS Reg. No. 100636-23-5] is initially charged in 4.5 ml of dry DMF, and 23.6 mg (0.196 mmol) of sodium hydride (60% in paraffin oil) are added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 45 min. The reaction solution is then cooled to 0° C. and a solution of 90 mg (0.163 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-{2-[(5-chloropentyl)oxy]phenyl}-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate; Example 32A) in 1.5 ml of dry DMF is added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h. The reaction solution is then carefully poured into 15 ml of ice-cold 10% strength ammonium chloride solution. The mixture is extracted twice with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. This gives 103 mg (0.57 mmol, 100% of theory) of a colorless oil which is reacted without further purification.

LC-MS (Method 11): R_(t)=1.65 min; m/z=628 (M+H)⁺.

Example 35A Methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-(2-{[5-(3-methyl-2-oxotetrahydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)pentyl]oxy}phenyl)pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (racemate)

A solution of 36.4 mg (0.319 mmol) of 1-methyltetrahydropyrimidin-2-one [CAS Reg. No. 10166-54-8] is initially charged in 1.5 ml of dry DMF, and 13.1 mg (0.328 mmol) of sodium hydride (60% in paraffin oil) are added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 45 min. The reaction solution is then cooled to 0° C. and a solution of 50 mg (0.091 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-{2-[(5-chloropentyl)oxy]phenyl}-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate; Example 32A) in 1.5 ml of dry DMF is added. This is followed by the addition of 1.5 mg (0.9 μmol) of potassium iodide. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h. The reaction solution is then carefully poured into 15 ml of ice-cold 10% strength ammonium chloride solution. The mixture is extracted twice with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. This gives 47 mg (0.075 mmol, 82% of theory) of a colorless oil which is reacted without further purification.

LC-MS (Method 11): R_(t)=1.66 min; m/z=627 (M+H)⁺.

Example 36A Methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[4-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)butoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (racemate)

A solution of 16.7 mg (0.196 mmol) of pyrrolidin-2-one [CAS Reg. No. 616-45-5] are initially charged in 1.0 ml of dry DMF, and 8 mg (0.201 mmol) of sodium hydride (60% in paraffin oil) are added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 45 min. The reaction solution is then cooled to 0° C. and a solution of 30 mg (0.056 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-[2-(4-chlorobutoxy)phenyl]-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate; Example 31A) in 0.5 ml of dry DMF is added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h. The reaction solution is then carefully poured into 15 ml of ice-cold 10% strength ammonium chloride solution. The mixture is extracted twice with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. This gives 19 mg (32.5 μmol, 58% of theory) of a colorless oil which is reacted without further purification.

LC-MS (Method 11): R_(t)=1.62 min; m/z=584 (M+H)⁺.

Example 37A Methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[2-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)ethoxy]-phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (racemate)

A solution of 82.0 mg (0.288 mmol) of 2-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)ethyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate [CAS Reg. No. 159974-55-7] is initially charged in 1.5 ml of dry toluene, and 187 mg (0.576 mmol) of cesium carbonate are added. 32 mg (0.072 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate; Example 18A) are then added. The reaction mixture is stirred at 60° C. for 18 h and then carefully poured into 15 ml of ice-cold 10% strength ammonium chloride solution. The mixture is extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. This gives 39 mg (0.070 mmol, 97% of theory) of a colorless oil which is reacted without further purification

LC-MS (Method 1): R_(t)=2.98 min; m/z=558 (M+H)⁺.

Exemplary Embodiments Example 1 4-[(4E)-3-[2-(4-Carboxyphenyl)ethyl]-5-{5-fluoro-2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]phenyl}-pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoic acid

18 mg (0.75 mmol) of lithium hydroxide are added to a solution of 150 mg (0.25 mmol) of methyl 4-[(4E)-5-{5-fluoro-2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]phenyl}-3-{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenyl]ethyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate in 10 ml of THF and 10 ml of water, and the mixture is stirred at 50° C. for 12 h. The mixture is then adjusted to pH 2 using 1 M hydrochloric acid and concentrated. The residue obtained is purified directly by preparative HPLC. This gives 130 mg (content 96%, 0.22 mmol, 87% of theory) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 12.78 (2H, broad), 7.84 (4H, d), 7.36 (1H, d), 7.30 (4H, d), 7.05-6.92 (2H, m), 6.61 (1H, d), 6.28-6.16 (1H, m), 3.98 (2H, t), 3.39-3.22 (4H, m), 2.75-2.55 (4H, m), 2.22-2.10 (3H, m), 1.98-1.75 (6H, m), 1.75-1.61 (2H, m).

LC-MS (Method 2): R_(t)=2.39 min; m/z=574 (M+H)⁺.

Example 2 4-[(4E)-3-[2-(4-Carboxyphenyl)ethyl]-5-{2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoic acid

18.5 mg (0.75 mmol) of lithium hydroxide are added to a solution of 150 mg (0.26 mmol) of methyl 4-[(4E)-3-{2-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]ethyl}-5-{2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]-phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate in 10 ml of THF and 10 ml of water, and the mixture is stirred at 50° C. for 12 h. The mixture is then adjusted to pH 2 using 1 M hydrochloric acid and concentrated. The residue obtained is purified directly by preparative HPLC. This gives 104 mg (content 97%, 0.18 mmol, 71% of theory) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 12.78 (2H, broad), 7.83 (4H, d), 7.49 (1H, d), 7.32 (4H, d), 7.21 (1H, t), 6.97 (1H, d), 6.92 (1H, d), 6.64 (1H, d), 6.18-6.08 (1H, m), 4.00 (2H, t), 3.41-3.22 (4H, m), 2.75-2.55 (4H, m), 2.22-2.10 (3H, m), 1.99-1.74 (6H, m), 1.74-1.61 (2H, m).

LC-MS (Method 2): R_(t)=2.41 min; m/z=556 (M+H)⁺.

Example 3 4-[(4E)-3-(4-Carboxybenzyl)-5-{2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]-benzoic acid (enantiomer 1)

492 mg (20.5 mmol) of lithium hydroxide are added to a solution of 3.90 g (6.8 mmol) of methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (Example 21A) in 20 ml of THF and 20 ml of water, and the mixture is stirred at 50° C. for 12 h. The mixture is then cooled and extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The aqueous phase is then adjusted to pH 2 using 1 M hydrochloric acid and extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The latter organic phases are combined, washed with water and saturated sodium chloride solution and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration, the solvent is removed to dryness. This gives 2.75 g (content 98%, 4.98 mmol, 73% of theory) of the title compound as a colorless solid.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 12.69 (2H, broad), 7.89-7.76 (4H, m), 7.41 (1H, d), 7.29 (4H, d), 7.18 (1H, t), 6.95-6.84 (2H, m), 6.45 (1H, d), 6.19-6.06 (1H, m), 3.98 (2H, m), 3.40-3.19 (4H, m), 2.95-2.82 (1H, m), 2.81-2.69 (2H, m), 2.68-2.57 (1H, m), 2.56-2.45 (1H, m), 2.21-2.11 (2H, m), 1.95-1.75 (5H, m), 1.76-1.61 (1H, m).

LC-MS (Method 7): R_(t)=2.56 min; m/z=542 (M+H)⁺.

Example 4 4-[(4E)-3-(4-Carboxybenzyl)-5-{2-[3-(3-oxomorpholin-4-yl)propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]-benzoic acid (enantiomer 1)

66.6 mg (1.59 mmol) of lithium hydroxide monohydrate are added to a solution of 0.31 g (0.53 mmol) of methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[3-(3-oxomorpholin-4-yl)propoxy]phenyl}-pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (Example 23A) in 2 ml of THF and 2 ml of water, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 18 h. The mixture is then adjusted to pH 2 using 1 M hydrochloric acid and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration, the solvent is removed to dryness and the crude product is purified by preparative HPLC. This gives 89.5 mg (0.16 mmol, 30.3% of theory) of the title compound as a colorless solid.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 12.76 (2H, broad), 7.85-7.80 (4H, m), 7.40-7.38 (1H, m), 7.30-7.28 (4H, d), 7.19-7.15 (1H, m), 6.93-6.87 (2H, m), 6.49-6.45 (1H, d), 6.16-6.09 (1H, m), 4.00 (2H, s), 3.97-3.91 (2H, m), 3.79-3.76 (2H, t), 3.46-3.40 (2H, m), 3.30-3.27 (2H, m) 2.90-2.86 (1H, m) 2.79-2.59 (3H, m), 2.51-2.49 (1H, m), 1.96-1.88 (2H, m), 1.79-1.67 (2H, m).

LC-MS (Method 2): R_(t)=2.24 min; m/z=558 (M+H)⁺.

Example 5 4-[(4E)-3-(4-Carboxybenzyl)-5-{2-[3-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]-benzoic acid (enantiomer 1)

81.5 mg (1.94 mmol) of lithium hydroxide monohydrate are added to a solution of 370 mg (0.647 mmol) of methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[3-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)-propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (Example 26A) in 2 ml of THF and 2 ml of water, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 18 h. The mixture is then adjusted to pH 2 using 1 M hydrochloric acid and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration, the solvent is removed to dryness and the crude product is purified by preparative HPLC. This gives 114 mg (0.210 mmol, 32.4% of theory) of the title compound as a colorless solid.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 12.75 (2H, broad), 7.85-7.80 (4H, m), 7.40-7.38 (1H, m), 7.30-7.28 (4H, d), 7.19-7.15 (1H, m), 6.94-6.87 (2H, m), 6.50-6.45 (1H, d), 6.15-6.09 (1H, m), 4.23-4.20 (2H, t), 4.00-3.91 (2H, m), 3.51-3.47 (2H, t), 3.31-3.25 (2H, m), 2.90-2.86 (1H, m) 2.79-2.59 (3H, m), 2.51-2.50 (1H, m), 1.95-1.88 (2H, m), 1.79-1.68 (2H, m).

LC-MS (Method 2): R_(t)=2.24 min; m/z=558 (M+H)⁺.

Example 6 4-[(4E)-3-(4-Carboxybenzyl)-5-{5-fluoro-2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoic acid (enantiomer 1)

2.57 mg (61.3 mmol) of lithium hydroxide monohydrate are added to a solution of 12 mg (10.4 μmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-{5-fluoro-2-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]phenyl}-3-[4-(methoxy-carbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (Example 29A) in 0.3 ml of THF and 0.3 ml of water, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The mixture is then adjusted to pH 2 using 1 M hydrochloric acid and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue obtained is purified by preparative HPLC. This gives 5.0 mg (8.93 μmol, 43.8% of theory) of the title compound.

LC-MS (Method 9): R_(t)=3.57 min; m/z=560 (M+H)⁺.

Example 7 4-[(4E)-3-(4-Carboxybenzyl)-5-(2-{[5-(2-oxopiperidin-1-yl)pentyl]oxy}phenyl)pent-4-en-1-yl]-benzoic acid (racemate)

A solution of 19.0 mg (0.191 mmol) of 2-piperidinone [CAS Reg. No. 675-20-7] is initially charged in 1.0 ml of dry DMF, and 7.9 mg (0.197 mmol) of sodium hydride (60% in paraffin oil) are added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 45 min. The reaction solution is then cooled to 0° C., and a solution of 30 mg (0.056 mmol) of methyl 4-{(4E)-5-{2-[(5-chloro-pentyl)oxy]phenyl}-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]pent-4-en-1-yl}benzoate (racemate; Example 32A) in 1.5 ml of dry DMF is added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h. The reaction solution is then carefully poured into 15 ml of ice-cold 10% strength ammonium chloride solution. The mixture is extracted twice with dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue obtained is purified by preparative HPLC. This gives 1.9 mg (3.25 μmol, 6.0% of theory) of the title compound.

LC-MS (Method 1): R_(t)=2.62 min; m/z=584 (M+H)⁺.

Example 8 4-[(4E)-3-(4-Carboxybenzyl)-5-(2-{[5-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)pentyl]oxy}phenyl)pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoic acid (racemate)

8.75 mg (208 mmol) of lithium hydroxide monohydrate are added to a solution of 25 mg (41.7 μmol) of methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-(2-{[5-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)-pentyl]oxy}phenyl)pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (Example 33A) in 0.5 ml of THF and 0.5 ml of water, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The mixture is then adjusted to pH 2 using 1 M hydrochloric acid and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue obtained is purified by preparative HPLC. This gives 1.5 mg (2.62 μmol, 6.3% of theory) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 12.9-12.6 (2H, broad), 7.85-7.80 (4H, m), 7.40-7.38 (1H, m), 7.30-7.27 (4H, d), 7.18-7.15 (1H, m), 6.94-6.86 (2H, m), 6.46-6.42 (1H, d), 6.13-6.07 (1H, m), 4.23-4.19 (2H, t), 3.97-3.87 (2H, m), 3.49-3.45 (2H, t), 3.13-3.10 (2H, m), 2.90-2.86 (1H, m), 2.79-2.70 (3H, m), 2.69-2.60 (1H, m), 1.85-1.75 (1H, m), 1.74-1.67 (3H, m), 1.55-1.47 (2H, m), 1.40-1.34 (2H, m).

LC-MS (Method 1): R_(t)=2.55 min; m/z=572 (M+H)⁺.

Example 9 4-[(4E)-3-(4-Carboxybenzyl)-5-(2-[5-(2-methyl-3-oxomorpholin-4-yl)pentyl]oxy 1-phenyl)pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoic acid (mixture of diastereomers)

33.6 mg (800 μmol) of lithium hydroxide monohydrate are added to a solution of 100.4 mg (160 μmol) of methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-(2-{[5-(2-methyl-3-oxomorpholin-4-yl)pentyl]oxy}phenyl)pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (Example 34A) in 1.0 ml of THF and 1.0 ml of 2 M aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The mixture is then adjusted to pH 2 using 1 M hydrochloric acid and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue obtained is purified by preparative HPLC. This gives 17.7 mg (29.5 μmol, 18.5% of theory) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 12.77 (2H, broad), 7.85-7.80 (4H, m), 7.39-7.37 (1H, m), 7.30-7.28 (4H, d), 7.18-7.15 (1H, m), 6.94-6.85 (2H, m), 6.46-6.42 (1H, d), 6.13-6.07 (1H, m), 4.07-4.04 (1H, m), 3.92-3.87 (3H, m), 3.69-3.64 (1H, m), 3.43-3.25 (4H, m), 3.17-3.14 (1H, m), 2.90-2.85 (1H, m), 2.78-2.60 (3H, m), 1.80 (1H, m), 1.72-1.69 (3H, m), 1.51-1.49 (2H, m), 1.37-1.33 (2H, m), 1.26-1.24 (3H, m).

LC-MS (Method 10): R_(t)=2.11 min; m/z=600 (M+H)⁺.

Example 10 4-[(4E)-3-(4-Carboxybenzyl)-5-(2-{[5-(3-methyl-2-oxotetrahydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)pentyl]oxy}-phenyl)pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoic acid (racemate)

31.5 mg (750 μmol) of lithium hydroxide monohydrate are added to a solution of 47 mg (160 μmol) of methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-(2-{[5-(3-methyl-2-oxotetrahydro-pyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)pentyl]oxy}phenyl)pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (Example 35A) in 1.0 ml of THF and 1.0 ml of 1 M aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The mixture is then adjusted to pH 2 using 1 M hydrochloric acid and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue obtained is purified by preparative HPLC. This gives 4.2 mg (7.0 μmol, 9.4% of theory) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 12.78 (2H, broad), 7.85-7.80 (4H, m), 7.52-7.49 (1H, m), 7.30-7.28 (4H, d), 7.18-7.15 (1H, m), 6.94-6.85 (2H, m), 6.46-6.42 (1H, d), 6.13-6.07 (1H, m), 3.92-3.91 (2H, m), 3.17-3.11 (6H, m), 2.88-2.84 (1H, m), 2.74 (3H, s), 2.75-2.56 (3H, m), 2.33 (1H, m), 1.82-1.78 (3H, m), 1.71-1.67 (3H, m), 1.44-1.42 (2H, m), 1.34-1.32 (2H, m).

LC-MS (Method 10): R_(t)=2.11 min; m/z=599 (M+H)⁺.

Example 11 4-[(4E)-3-(4-Carboxybenzyl)-5-{2-[4-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)butoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoic acid (racemate)

13.7 mg (325 μmol) of lithium hydroxide monohydrate are added to a solution of 19 mg (32.5 μmol) of methyl 4-[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[4-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)butoxy]-phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (Example 36A) in 0.5 ml of dioxane and 0.5 ml of 2 M aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The mixture is then adjusted to pH 2 using 1 M hydrochloric acid and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue obtained is purified by preparative HPLC. This gives 1.8 mg (3.2 μmol, 10.0% of theory) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 13.0-12.5 (2H, broad), 7.85-7.80 (4H, m), 7.40-7.38 (1H, m), 7.29-7.27 (4H, d), 7.18-7.14 (1H, m), 6.93-6.86 (2H, m), 6.47-6.43 (1H, d), 6.14-6.07 (1H, m), 3.94-3.92 (2H, m), 3.30-3.15 (3H, m), 3.02-2.99 (2H, m), 2.90-2.85 (1H, m), 2.80-2.60 (3H, m), 2.16-2.12 (1H, m), 1.85-1.78 (2H, m), 1.68-1.55 (7H, m).

LC-MS (Method 10): R_(t)=2.00 min; m/z=556 (M+H)⁺.

Example 12 4-[(4E)-3-(4-Carboxybenzyl)-5-{2-[2-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)ethoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]-benzoic acid (racemate)

44.1 mg (1.05 mmol) of lithium hydroxide monohydrate are added to a solution of 39 mg (70 μmol) of methyl 4[(4E)-3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-5-{2-[2-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)ethoxy]phenyl}pent-4-en-1-yl]benzoate (Example 37A) in 0.5 ml of THF and 0.5 ml of water, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The mixture is then adjusted to pH 2 using 1 M hydrochloric acid and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue obtained is purified by preparative HPLC. This gives 5.3 mg (10 μmol, 14.3% of theory) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, δ/ppm): 12.79 (2H, s), 7.85-7.80 (4H, m), 7.40-7.39 (1H, m), 7.30-7.28 (4H, d), 7.20-7.16 (1H, m), 6.97-6.88 (2H, m), 6.49-6.45 (1H, d), 6.17-6.11 (1H, m), 4.20-4.16 (2H, m), 4.09-4.07 (2H, m), 3.32-3.29 (4H, m), 2.90-2.49 (5H, m), 1.76-1.67 (2H, m).

LC-MS (Method 1): R_(t)=2.36 min; m/z=530 (M+H)⁺.

B. ASSESSMENT OF THE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

The pharmacological effect of the compounds according to the invention can be shown in the following assays:

B-1. Vasorelaxant Effect In Vitro:

Rabbits are anesthetized and sacrificed by intravenous injection of thiopental sodium (about 50 mg/kg) and exsanguinated. The saphenous artery is removed and divided into rings 3 mm wide. The rings are mounted singly on in each case a pair of triangular hooks open at the end and made of 0.3 mm-thick special wire (Remanium®). Each ring is placed under an initial tension in 5 ml organ baths with Krebs-Henseleit solution which is at 37° C., is gassed with carbogen and has the following composition: NaCl 119 mM; KCl 4.8 mM; CaCl₂×2H₂O 1 mM; MgSO₄×7H₂O 1.4 mM; KH₂PO₄ 1.2 mM; NaHCO₃ 25 mM; glucose 10 mM; bovine serum albumin 0.001%. The force of contraction is detected with Statham UC2 cells, amplified and digitized via A/D converters (DAS-1802 HC, Keithley Instruments, Munich) and recorded in parallel on chart recorders. Contractions are induced by addition of phenylephrine.

After several (generally 4) control cycles, the substance to be investigated is added in each further run in increasing dosage, and the height of the contraction achieved under the influence of the test substance is compared with the height of the contraction reached in the last preceding run. The concentration necessary to reduce the contraction reached in the preceding control by 50% is calculated from this (IC₅₀). The standard application volume is 5 μl. The proportion of DMSO in the bath solution corresponds to 0.1%.

Representative results for the compounds according to the invention are listed in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Vasorelaxant effect in vitro Example No. IC₅₀ [nM] 1 390 2 255 3 52 4 330 5 58 6 135 B-2. Stimulation of Recombinant Soluble Guanylate Cyclase (sGC) In Vitro:

Investigations on the stimulation of recombinant soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) by the compounds according to the invention with and without sodium nitroprusside, and with and without the heme-dependent sGC inhibitor 1H-1,2,4-oxadiazole-(4,3a)-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) are carried out by the method described in detail in the following reference: M. Hoenicka, E. M. Becker, H. Apeler, T. Sirichoke, H. Schroeder, R. Gerzer and J.-P. Stasch, “Purified soluble guanylyl cyclase expressed in a baculovirus/Sf9 system: Stimulation by YC-1, nitric oxide, and carbon oxide”, J. Mol. Med. 77 (1999), 14-23. The heme-free guanylate cyclase is obtained by adding Tween 20 to the sample buffer (0.5% in the final concentration).

The activation of sGC by a test substance is reported as n-fold stimulation of the basal activity. The result for Example 3 is shown in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Stimulation (n-fold) of recombinant soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in vitro by Example 3 Concentration Heme-containing sGC of Example 3 +0.1 μM +10 μM Heme-free sGC [μM] Basal DEA/NO ODQ Basal 0.0 1.0 18.5 3.9 1.0 0.01 6.1 23.3 35.1 9.9 0.1 11.6 34.7 98.0 35.2 1 16.0 41.6 124 69.7 10 18.9 40.0 134 74.6 [DEA/NO = 2-(N,N-diethylamino)diazenolate 2-oxide; ODQ = 1H-1,2,4-oxadiazole-(4,3a)-quinoxalin-1-one].

It is evident from Table 2 that stimulation both of the heme-containing and of the heme-free enzyme is achieved. Furthermore, combination of Example 3 and 2-(N,N-diethylamino)diazenolate 2-oxide (DEA/NO), an NO donor, shows no synergistic effect, i.e. the effect of DEA/NO is not potentiated as would be expected with an sGC activator acting via a heme-dependent mechanism. In addition, the effect of the sGC activator according to the invention is not blocked by the heme-dependent inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase ODQ, but is in fact increased. The results in Table 2 thus confirm the mechanism of action of the compounds according to the invention as activators of soluble guanylate cyclase.

B-3. Action at Recombinant Guanylate Cyclase Reporter Cell Lines

The cellular action of the compounds according to the invention is determined using a recombinant guanylate cyclase reporter cell line, as described in F. Wunder et al., Anal. Biochem. 339, 104-112 (2005).

Representative results for the compounds according to the invention are listed in Table 3:

TABLE 3 sGC-activating activity in the CHO reporter cell in vitro Example No. MEC [nM] 1 3 2 3 3 1 4 2 5 0.55 6 3 7 1 8 1 9 1 10 3 11 <1 12 100 (MEC = minimum effective concentration).

B-4. Radiotelemetric Measurement of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate on Conscious SH Rats

A commercially available telemetry system from Data Sciences International DSI, USA, is employed for the measurements on conscious SH rats described below.

The system consists of 3 main components: (1) implantable transmitter, (2) receiver which is linked via a multiplexer to a (3) data acquisition computer. The telemetry system makes it possible to record continuously the blood pressure and heart rate on conscious animals in their usual habitat.

The investigations are carried out on adult female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SH rats) with a body weight of >200 g. After transmitter implantation, the experimental animals are housed singly in type 3 Makrolon cages. They have free access to standard feed and water. The day/night rhythm in the experimental laboratory is changed by the room lighting at 6.00 in the morning and at 19.00 in the evening.

The telemetry transmitters (TAM PA-C40, DSI) as employed are surgically implanted under aseptic conditions in the experimental animals at least 14 days before the first experimental use. The animals instrumented in this way can be employed repeatedly after the wound has healed and the implant has settled.

For the implantation, the fasted animals are anesthetized with pentobarbital (Nembutal, Sanofi, 50 mg/kg i.p.) and shaved and disinfected over a large area on the side of the abdomen. After the abdominal cavity has been opened along the linea alba, the liquid-filled measuring catheter of the system is inserted into the descending aorta in the cranial direction above the bifurcation and fastened with tissue glue (VetBonD™, 3M). The transmitter housing is fixed intraperitoneally to the abdominal wall muscle, and layered closure of the wound is performed. An antibiotic (Tardomyocel COMP, Bayer, 1 ml/kg s.c.) is administered postoperatively for prophylaxis of infection.

Outline of Experiment:

The substances to be investigated are administered orally by gavage in each case to a group of animals (n=6). The test substances are dissolved in suitable solvent mixtures, or suspended in 0.5% strength Tylose, appropriate for an administration volume of 5 ml/kg of body weight. A solvent-treated group of animals is employed as control.

The telemetry measuring unit is configured for 24 animals. Each experiment is recorded under an experiment number.

Each of the instrumented rats living in the system is assigned a separate receiving antenna (1010 Receiver, DSI). The implanted transmitters can be activated from outside by means of an incorporated magnetic switch and are switched to transmission in the run-up to the experiment. The emitted signals can be detected online by a data acquisition system (Dataquest™ A.R.T. for Windows, DSI) and be appropriately processed. The data are stored in each case in a file bearing the experiment number which is open for this purpose.

In the standard procedure, the following are measured for 10-second periods in each case: (1) systolic blood pressure (SBP), (2) diastolic blood pressure (DBP), (3) mean arterial pressure (MAP) and (4) heart rate (HR).

Measurement acquisition is repeated under computer control at 5-minute intervals. The source data obtained as absolute value are corrected in the diagram with the currently measured barometric pressure and stored in individual data. Further technical details are given in the documentation of the manufacturing company (DSI).

The test substances are administered at 9.00 h on the day of the experiment. Following the administration, the parameters described above are measured over 24 hours. After the end of the experiment, the acquired individual data are sorted using the analysis software (Dataquest™ A.R.T. Analysis). The void value is assumed to be the time 2 hours before administration of the substance, so that the selected data set includes the period from 7.00 h on the day of the experiment to 9.00 h on the following day.

The data are smoothed over a presettable time by determination of the average (15-minute average, 30-minute average) and transferred as text file to a storage medium. The measurements presorted and compressed in this way are transferred into Excel templates and tabulated.

C. EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS

The compounds according to the invention can be converted into pharmaceutical preparations in the following ways:

Tablet: Composition:

100 mg of the compound according to the invention, 50 mg of lactose (monohydrate), 50 mg of maize starch (native), 10 mg of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP 25) (from BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany) and 2 mg of magnesium stearate.

Tablet weight 212 mg, diameter 8 mm, radius of curvature 12 mm

Production:

A mixture of compound according to the invention, lactose and starch is granulated with a 5% strength solution (m/m) of the PVP in water. The granules are dried and mixed with the magnesium stearate for 5 minutes. This mixture is compressed in a conventional tablet press (see above for format of the tablet). A guideline compressive force for the compression is 15 kN.

Suspension which can be Administered Orally:

Composition:

1000 mg of the compound according to the invention, 1000 mg of ethanol (96%), 400 mg of Rhodigel® (xanthan gum from FMC, Pennsylvania, USA) and 99 g of water.

10 ml of oral suspension correspond to a single dose of 100 mg of the compound according to the invention.

Production:

The Rhodigel is suspended in ethanol, and the compound according to the invention is added to the suspension. The water is added while stirring. The mixture is stirred for about 6 h until the swelling of the Rhodigel is complete.

Solution which can be Administered Orally:

Composition:

500 mg of the compound according to the invention, 2.5 g of polysorbate and 97 g of polyethylene glycol 400.20 g of oral solution correspond to a single dose of 100 mg of the compound according to the invention.

Production:

The compound according to the invention is suspended in the mixture of polyethylene glycol and polysorbate with stirring. The stirring process is continued until the compound according to the invention has completely dissolved.

i.v.-solution:

The compound according to the invention is dissolved in a concentration below the saturation solubility in a physiologically tolerated solvent (e.g. isotonic saline, 5% glucose solution and/or 30% PEG 400 solution). The solution is sterilized by filtration and used to fill sterile and pyrogen-free injection containers. 

1. A compound of the formula (I)

in which A represents a group of the formula

 in which * represents the point of attachment to group E, R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or phenyl, x represents the number 0, 1 or 2, where if the substituent R⁴ occurs twice, its meanings may be identical or different, and y represents the number 2, 3 or 4, where a CH₂ group may be replaced by —O— or >N—R^(4A) in which R^(4A) is hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or phenyl, E represents (C₂-C₆)-alkanediyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenediyl or (C₂-C₆)-alkynediyl, each of which may be mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine, m represents the number 1 or 2, R¹, R² and R³ independently of one another represent a substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano and nitro, and n, o and p independently of one another each represent the number 0, 1 or 2, where, if R¹, R² or R³ is present more than once, their meanings may in each case be identical of different, and the salts, solvates and solvates of the salts thereof.
 2. The compound of the formula (I) as claimed in claim 1, in which A represents a group of the formula

 in which * represents the point of attachment to group E, R⁴ represents (C₁-C₄)-alkyl or phenyl, x represents the number 0, 1 or 2, where if the substituent R⁴ occurs twice, its meanings may be identical or different, and y represents the number 2 or 3, where a CH₂ group may be replaced by —O— or >N—R^(4A) in which R^(4A) represents (C₁-C₄)-alkyl or phenyl, E represents (C₂-C₆)-alkanediyl or (C₂-C₆)-alkenediyl, m represents the number 1 or 2, R¹ represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy and trifluoromethoxy, R² and R³ each represent fluorine, and n, o and p independently of one another each represent the number 0 or 1, and the salts, solvates and solvates of the salts thereof.
 3. A compound of the formula (I-A)

in which A represents a group of the formula

 in which * represents the point of attachment to group E, E represents 1,2-ethylene, 1,3-propylene, 1,4-butylene or 1,5-pentylene, m represents the number 1 or 2, and R¹ represents hydrogen or fluorine, and the salts, solvates and solvates of the salts thereof.
 4. The compound of the formula (I-A) as claimed in claim 3, in which A represents a group of the formula

 in which * represents the point of attachment to group E, E represents 1,2-ethylene, 1,3-propylene or 1,4-butylene, m represents the number 1 or 2, and R¹ represents hydrogen or fluorine, and the salts, solvates and solvates of the salts thereof.
 5. A process for preparing a compound of the formula (I) or (I-A) as defined in claim 1, wherein the compounds of the formula (II)

in which R², R³, m, o and p each have the meanings given in claim 1 and T¹ and T² are identical or different and represent (C₁-C₄)-alkoxycarbonyl, are either [A] converted in an inert solvent in the presence of a base with a compound of the formula (III-A)

in which A, E, R¹ and n each have the meanings given in claim 1 and L represents phenyl or o-, m- or p-tolyl and X represents halide or tosylate, into compounds of the formula (IV-A)

in which A, E, R¹, R², R³, m, n, o, p, T¹ and T² each have the meanings given above, or [B] converted in an inert solvent in the presence of a base with a compound of the formula (III-B)

in which R¹, n, L and X each have the meanings given above, initially into compounds of the formula (IV-B)

in which R¹, R², R³, m, n, o, p, T¹ and T² each have the meanings given above, and these are then alkylated in an inert solvent in the presence of a base with a compound of the formula (V) A-E-Q  (V), in which A and E have the meanings given in claim 1 and Q represents a leaving group, such as, for example, halogen, tosylate or mesylate, to give compounds of the formula (IV-C)

in which A, E, R¹, R², R³, m, n, o, p, T¹ and T² each have the meanings given above, and the resulting compounds of the formula (IV-A) or (IV-C) are converted by hydrolysis of the ester groups T¹ and T² into the dicarboxylic acids of the formula (I) and the compounds of the formula (I) are separated where appropriate by methods known to the skilled person into their enantiomers and/or diastereomers, and/or where appropriate reacted with the appropriate (i) solvents and/or (ii) bases or acids to give the solvates, salts and/or solvates of the salts thereof.
 6. The compound as defined in claim 1 for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases.
 7. (canceled)
 8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as defined in claim 1 in combination with one or more inert, non-toxic, pharmaceutically suitable excipients.
 9. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 8, further comprising one or more further active ingredients selected from the group consisting of organic nitrates, NO donors, cGMP-PDE inhibitors, stimulators of guanylate cyclase, agents having antithrombotic activity, agents lowering blood pressure, and agents altering lipid metabolism.
 10. The pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 8 for the treatment and/or prevention of heart failure, angina pectoris, hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, ischemias, vascular disorders, thromboembolic disorders and arteriosclerosis.
 11. A method for the treatment and/or prevention of heart failure, angina pectoris, hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, ischemias, vascular disorders, thromboembolic disorders and arteriosclerosis in humans and animals by administration of an effective amount of at least one compound as defined in claim
 1. 12. A method for the treatment and/or prevention of heart failure, angina pectoris, hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, ischemias, vascular disorders, thromboembolic disorders and arteriosclerosis in humans and animals by administration of an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 8. 